Under their Chief Conductor David Robertson, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra presents a stunning live account of three seminal works: Stravinsky's The Firebird, Petrushka and The Rite of Spring.

Stravinsky first achieved international fame with these works, which were commissioned for – and first performed by – Sergei Diaghilev's Ballet Russes. Premiered during an extraordinary period stretching from 1910 to 1913, these ballets quite simply revolutionized music: whilst often reaching into the past for their musical and cultural material, they introduced totally new conceptions of rhythm, colour and scale. The audience famously rioted at the first performance of The Rite of Spring – and whilst we may not be so scandalized in the 21st century, the music feels no less ground-breaking.

Recorded live at the Sydney Opera House, these performances showcase a glittering Sydney Symphony Orchestra under a conductor with a rare ability to bring to life the music of the 20th century. The critical and audience response to the concerts, which can now be enjoyed again through this album, was unanimous.