STRAVINSKY: Four movements from “L’Histoire du Soldat.”...

STRAVINSKY: Four movements from “L’Histoire du Soldat.” Three movements from “Petrushka.” “Apollo.” Christopher O’Riley, piano. Elektra Nonesuch 9 79343-2. A mixed lot, this. The best first: a dashing, playful reading of the “Petrushka” movements--the only bona fide piano music here--elegantly understated in virtuosity, nicely sauntering in tempo. The piano reduction of movements from “L’Histoire du Soldat” works well, too, in O’Riley’s lissome hands. But nothing can disguise the piano reduction of “Apollo” as anything but a gray, utilitarian imitation, which the pianist does little to dispel.