(4-CD SET) PROKOFIEV: THE SYMPHONIES

Παρουσίαση

Among 20th-century composers, Sergei Prokofiev has probably fared best when you consider the number of
his works that are held in public affection -- Peter and the Wolf, the Lieutenant Kij? Suite with its sleigh ride
'Troika'(this motif from the suite was also used in the song I Believe in Father Christmas by the English rock
group Emerson, Lake and Palmer), The Love for Three Oranges, and the ballets Romeo and Juliet (who doesn't know the 'Dance of the Knights'?) and Cinderella. His opera War and Peace is a staple of the opera repertoire. Also firm favourites are the witty, deliberately Haydnesque First and Fifth Symphonies, both welcomed into the symphonic repertoire of the 20th century in a way only matched by Sibelius, and in the UK Vaughan Williams, in their popularity. The other five symphonies, however, remain relatively neglected.
This highly acclaimed cycle conducted by Walter Weller was only the second recording of the elusive revised
version of No.4. The greatest of the cycle, No.6 receives an extraordinary performance. It is a work full of huge, truly memorable tunes -- epic, lyrical and highly personal. The 'Classical' Symphony, No.1, predates Stravinsky's neo-Classical period, and is all the more remarkable for that. The iconoclastic Second symphony is very much of its time, being contemporaneous with The Iron Foundry by Mosolov, Stravinky's Rite of Spring and Honegger's Pacific 231. Schoenberg commented that there is still 'plenty to be said in C major', and this certainly applies to the seven symphonies of Prokofiev.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
- Superb Decca recordings from the late 1970s. Critically acclaimed when first released, they are still
state of the art.
- 'This newcomer is by far the best recorded. It is every bit as impressive as earlier releases in the
Weller/Prokofiev series. The LPO respond to the demands made on them with fine musicianship
and good ensemble.' Gramophone on the Fourth Symphony
- 'This new Decca release is absolutely first-class and reveals this densely packed texture with
realism and great transparency. Weller is sensitive to detail and dynamic nuance.' Gramophone on
the Second Symphony
- New booklet essay by Prokofiev biographer David Gutman

Περιεχόμενα

Symphony No.1 in D op.25 'Classical'. Symphony No.2 in D minor op.40. Symphony No.3 in C minor op.44. Symphony No.4 in C op.47. Symphony No.5 in B flat op.100. Symphony No.6 in E flat minor op.111. Symphony No.7 in C sharp minor op.131. Scythian Suite op.20. Russian Overture op.72.

ORCHESTRA: London Symphony Orchestra and London Philharmonic
CONDUCTOR: Walter Weller