I have spent the last two days listening, on and off, to Fazil Say's version of the Rite of Spring. It is based around the authorised 4 hand piano version, but with substantial reference to the score (which version is not stated - but not the original 1913 version). However, there are only two hands involved - Fazil Say's - and they are overdubbed, sometimes resulting in 8 hands. Often, he damps the strings with fingers and other 'devices'. Mainly I find these modifications very effective. On the whole the work is illuminating - it catches the fancy as incredibly powerful, earthy, violent. I dislike one or two of his tempi, as I might with a conductor. But the revelation of inner voices that often get muted in orchestral versions enhances my perception of the music. It is not perfect; but this version is intensely worth listening to; it returns one to an elemental, percussive Stravinsky - we can hear the music of the mind even if few orchestras can accomplish the goal. It is released by Teldec #8573-81041-2. CR