Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra. Dorati recorded the `Rite` twice with this orchestra and this 1959 stereo recording on Mercury Living Presence is regarded as the greatest of all `Rite` recordings. Brutal, pagan, violent and totally overwhelming. no other performance comes close!

This is the 1953 mono recording Dorati made of the `rite` with this orchestra. The performance is abrasive, sharp and very powerful. Transferred from the Mercury Livinng Presence vinyl LP (so please excuse the occasional penetration of surface noise in the quiter moments - its well worth it to experience this amazing interpretation!)