Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1 "Classical" & 6

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 1 in D major ("Classical"), Op. 25
Composed by Sergey Prokofiev
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Seiji Ozawa

2. Symphony No. 6 in E flat minor, Op. 111
Composed by Sergey Prokofiev
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Seiji Ozawa

Tracks:

Canon In D
'Brandenburg' Concerto No. 3: Allegro
The Four Seasons - The Winter: Largo And Allegro
Fanfare ('Masterpiece Theatre' Theme)
Camerata Romana: Air For The 'G' String
'Eine kleine Nachtmusik': Allegro
Piano Concerto No. 21 ('Elvira Madigan' Theme): Andante
Introduction To Symphony No. 5
'William Tell' Overture: Finale
'Aida': Triumphal March
On The Beautiful, Blue Danube Waltz
'The Nutcracker': Waltz Of The Flowers
'1812' Overture: Finale

Tracks:

Sabre Dance
'Light Cavalry' Overture: Finale
Carmen: The Toreadors
' Midsummer Night's Dream': Wedding March
Radetzky March
Symphony No. 9, 'Choral': Finale
'Prince Igor': Polovstian Dance No. 17
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Peer Gynt: Solveig's Song
Sleepers, Wake
Water Music: Hornpipe
Symphony No. 9, 'From The New World': Largo
Emperor Waltz
'Emperor' Quartet: St. Anthony's Chorale
'The Tales Of Hoffman': Barcarolle
L'Arlesienne: Farandole
'The Nutcracker': Dance Of The Mirlitons
'The Nutcracker': Dance Of The Sugar-Plum Fairy
'Rhapsody In Blue': Highlight
'Orpheus In The Underworld': Can-Can

Tracks:

Introduction To 'Also sprach Zarathustra'
Symphony No. 4, 'Italian': Saltarello: Presto
Piano Concerto No. 20: Romance
'The Valkyrie': Ride Of The Valkyries
'The Four Seasons' - The Spring: Allegro
Toccata and Fugue
Trumpet Voluntary
'Royal Fireworks Music': la rejouissance: Allegro
'Moonlight' Sonata: Adagio Sostenuto
London Festival Orchestra: Overture To 'The Barber Of Seville'
Piano Concerto No. 2: Adagio Sostenuto

Tracks:

Carmina Burana: Introduction To 'Carmina Burana'
Peer Gynt: Dawn From 'Peer Gynt'
Lohengrin: Prelude To 'Lohengrin'
'Lieutenant Kije': Troika From 'Lieutenant Kije'
Adiago For Strings
'Carmen': Habanera From 'Carmen'
'Double' Concerto: Allegro From 'Double' Concerto
The Marriage Of Figaro: Overture To 'The Marriage Of Figaro'
(Rondo) Alla Turca
Xerxes: Largo From 'Xerxes'
Symphony No. 5: Allegro vivace From Symphony No. 5
'Swan Lake': Scene: Enchanted Lake From 'Swan Lake'
Clair De Lune
Bolero

Customer Reviews:

CD set is misnamed.......2007-06-08

They should have titled this "classical music for people who love classical music" because most of the selections are typical classical music. The title suggests it would be lively selections of "light classical" music that is more upbeat, i.e. Sabre Dance, etc. I really don't hate classical music at all and have many classical CDs in my collection but I really wanted to hear more exciting selections. I won't be purchasing any more of this set but if you like traditional classical music these are good one.

Do not Buy.......2007-02-21

I do know it says classical music for people who hate it, but serioulsly you would have better luck never listening to classical music again. The recordings are awfull and do not do justice to any of the composers. Buy something else.

Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music.......2007-01-30

We love this set of CD's. I just got a new copy because my kids keeping taking our first copy with them so that they can listen at work or in their bedrooms but then I can never find them.

Seek better versions.......2006-12-09

If you are fairly new to classical purchases then compilation CD's can be useful for deciding what to buy next. Sometimes you only need a small taste of a piece to inspire you to buy a release with the whole performance on. The problem with this compilation however is that most of the versions are poor in performance or recording quality (or both) when compared to the best versions and the fact that the conductors aren't even credited on the track listing made me suspect that this would be the case. One of my favorite classical pieces is Tchaikovsky's 1812 festival overture but if the first CD version I had heard had been the finale excerpt that is on this compilation I may not have gone on to buy the whole thing. Luckily I heard Adrian Leaper's version first and Adrian's version is rather good.
My classical CD buying experience is limited to only a couple of dozen discs but I have found that the Naxos and Deutshe Grammophon releases are fairly safe. Avoid any release which does not name the conductors on the track listing or sleeve notes.

It Is What It Is.......2006-10-27

It's fitting that this page is fraught with the same kind of silly snobbery that turns people off from classical music (and necessitates collections like this) in the first place.

Any criticism of this compilation, which focuses on the quality of the performances or the fact that many tracks are excerpts, misses the point. This is not a collection for people who consider such things, nor does it purport to be. The idea is to package as many ultra-famous classical melodies as possible in one affordable collection and market it to people who have never purchased a classical recording. As such, top-tier performances are likely too expensive to be sold so cheaply and are unnecessary anyway. Those of us who already know and love a piece or two can forgive the compilers the inclusion of sub-par recordings, when we are exposed to so many other beautiful pieces for the first time.

It probably comes as a shock for some to hear that most people are not familiar with these classics. We may hear snippets on TV or movies, but are left with no idea as to the composer or historical context. With that in mind, it is extremely intimidating to begin buying classical. I suppose those among us, who so thoroughly dismissed the very notion of a boxed set like this, would have us begin by buying full albums by reputable interpreters. Surprisingly enough though, the majority of people would consider that a tad cost-prohibitive.

To conclude, this is a STARTER collection. It will either affirm a listener's feelings about classical music or lead to an interest in purchasing better recordings. Ideally, I suppose the interpretations would be better, but, for reasons mentioned above, that just isn't in the cards for a collection of this nature. If you're familiar with 50 different recordings of "The Ring" series, or have season tickets to the New York Philharmonic, then this probably isn't for you. For us cretins with limited foreknowledge of classical music though, it serves as a succinct introduction with little to complain about.

Average customer rating:

The Outstanding Serge Prokofiev
a superb 5th, but get the DG originals version instead
Monumental...A Staggering Achievement!
A recording full of Prokofiev's wit and energy

Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5

Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000001GHI
Release Date: 2005-03-15

Tracks:

Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25 'Classical': Allegro
Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25 'Classical': Larghetto
Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25 'Classical': Gavotta: Non troppo allegro
Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25 'Classical': Finale: Molto vivace
Symphony No. 5 In B Flat Major, Op. 100: Andante
Symphony No. 5 In B Flat Major, Op. 100: Allegro moderato
Symphony No. 5 In B Flat Major, Op. 100: Adagio
Symphony No. 5 In B Flat Major, Op. 100: Allegro giocoso

Amazon.com

Karajan's account of the Fifth has been a classic since the day it appeared. The reading is remarkable for its tensile strength and lyric sweep, and it possesses in full measure the quality of power in reserve that was characteristic of the conductor's best recordings with the Berlin Philharmonic. The tempos are well chosen, and the performance moves inexorably forward without seeming to be pushed. The playing of the Philharmonic is assured throughout and rich in atmosphere. The Classical Symphony comes off sounding just a bit heavy and humorless--it is brilliantly played but not quite lighthearted enough. Still, this is a formidable coupling. The recorded sound is somewhat glary in Fifth, but has adequate weight and detail. At mid-price, this is one of the most attractive of the many couplings of these works. --Ted Libbey

Album Details

Prokofiev and Stravinsky were Hardly Among Conductor Herbert Von Karajan Or the Berlin Philharmonic's Specialties Though their Very Personal Accounts Here of These Two Russian Orchestral Staples Are Never Less Than Interesting. Their Lush, Vigorous Performance of Prokofiev's Fifth Symphony is Thrilling with the Winds and Strings Especially Displaying Exceptional Precision and Clarity. While Lacking the Extrovert Fury the Vast Majority of Conductors Bring to Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, Karajan's Certainly Unique, Lighter, More Neighbor-friendly Interpretation Will Appeal to Some as Well.

Customer Reviews:

The Outstanding Serge Prokofiev.......2007-04-20

Prokofiev (1891-1953) was a wonderful composer. These two symphonies are quite remarkable. The first "Classical" is a tribute to Haydn and captures all of the fun and lightness within Prokofiev's brand of modernism. Though he was known as the "Age of Steel" composer, Prokofiev's 5th Symphony is really quite melodic; definately one of greatest symphonies of the 20th century. Karajan and the BPO do a fine job on both of these numbers. Then again, Karajan was really better than most people say within the Russian repetiore.

Comparison of Symphony #1: Bernstein/NYPO
Comparisons of Symphony #5: Szell, Dorati

P.S. If you like Prokofiev, try the orchestral music of Shostakovich, Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland and Alan Hovhaness.

a superb 5th, but get the DG originals version instead.......2002-06-27

Karajan's performance of the Prokofiev 5th is one of the best available. He imparts a gravitas and nobility to the 1st and 3rd movements, but also brings out effectively the the spiky and percussive qualities of the 2nd and 4th movements. Particularly notable in this recording is that the percussion (cymbals and gong, I think) in the climax of the 1st movement sounds truly explosive, and Karajan builds up the 4th (last) movement to a very powerful climax.
However, don't get this edition (DG galleria), but instead its newer remastering on the DG Originals series. For some reason, this has not been released domestically (but should be available from record outlets that carry imports), for the sound is both more full bodied (no glare, as on the DG Galleria) and dynamic.
Moreover, you get a more generous coupling, for instead of the short Prokofiev classical symphony, the other selection is Karajan's 2nd recording of Stravinsky's the Rite of Spring, which is a very well played performance, lacking only in the ultimate intensity and evocativeness of Bernstein's NY Phil recording, which I have reviewed on my site, but competitive with most others.

Monumental...A Staggering Achievement!.......2000-05-08

Karajans recording of Prokofievs Symphony 5 is a masterpiece of recorded music. He leads the Berlin Philharmonic with utter conviction. Never has this symphony sounded so noble and moving. This is a classic reading. The "Classical" Symphony is somewhat heavy, and perhaps a bit to bombastic, but this is still an adequate performance. This disc is priceless, and belongs in every cd collection!

A recording full of Prokofiev's wit and energy.......2000-05-01

While von Karajan was an excellent conductor with the German repetoire of Beethoven, Brahms, ect, it was often with works from of non-German composers that he made his best performances. This CD of Prokofiev's two most popular symphonies is no exception. While the "Classical" symphony does seem a bit heavy for a work meant to be written in the spirit of Haydn, the reading of the fifth is wonderful and I've yet to hear a better recording of it. The tension of of the first and third movements contrasts wonderfully with the light hearted moods of the second and final movements. I highly recommend this performance.

Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5: Lieutenant Kijé

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what the hey
Delightful recording of two of Prokofiev's best...

Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5: Lieutenant Kijé

Manufacturer: Naxos
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Binding: Audio CD

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Tracks:

Allegro - Stephen Gunzenhauser
Larghetto - Stephen Gunzenhauser
Non Troppo Allegro - Stephen Gunzenhauser
Molto Vivace - Stephen Gunzenhauser
Andante - Stephen Gunzenhauser
Allegro Marcato - Stephen Gunzenhauser
Adagio - Stephen Gunzenhauser
Allegro Giocoso - Stephen Gunzenhauser
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Romance - Czecho-Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra (Kosice)
Kije's Wedding - Czecho-Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra (Kosice)
Troika - Czecho-Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra (Kosice)
March - Czecho-Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra (Kosice)

Customer Reviews:

what the hey.......2007-03-09

Symphony 5 was nice, but lt. Kije was incomplete, and made my ears feel like something was wrong but they couldn't figure out what. As I bought the record for the suite, I feel cheated.

Delightful recording of two of Prokofiev's best..........2001-08-13

This generously filled disc (78 minutes!!) contains wonderful performances of two of Prokofiev's finest symphonies. It also provides the listener a chance to hear two sides of Prokofiev.

The 1st, or "Classical" symphony, is a charming neo-classical work written by Prokofiev as an experiment to write in the style of Haydn or Mozart BUT using 20th harmonies. The result is a very accessible work, pleasant and delightful. (The Larghetto is one of my favorite movements in the symphonic repetoire.)

Jump ahead almost three decades and we get the other side of Prokofiev in a much more dramatic and modern work. Prokofiev's unexpected harmonic twists are present throughout this work, which is very modern sounding but never hard on the ears. This is one of the GREAT symphonies of the 20th century.

The last fifteen minutes of the disc are just icing on the cake: the composer arranged suite from his film score for "Lietenant Kije" (the "Troika" with it's sleigh bells should be immediately familiar) and the famous "March" from his opera The Love for Three Oranges".

Prokofiev's unique musical language is present throughout this disc and the performances, by the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Gunzenhauser (the symphonies) and the Czecho-Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Mogrelia, are beautifully executed and recorded. From the late 80s, these are examples of the quality of early Naxos recordings that kept the label going and has made it one of the most successful classical labels in the world.

Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5; Lieutenant Kijé Suite
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A slashing, savage Fifth, in strange sound

A truly wonderful recording

Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5; Lieutenant Kijé Suite

Manufacturer: RCA
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Binding: Audio CD

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Sergei Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 3, Op. 44/Symphonic Dances, Op. 45

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ASIN: B0002VYDZA
Release Date: 2004-10-12

Customer Reviews:

A slashing, savage Fifth, in strange sound.......2005-10-03

Much as I admire Temirkanov, who strikes me as probably Russia's greatest living conductor along with Valery Gergiev, his approach to the Prokofiev Fifth is extremely eccentric. In place of sardonic wit, we get slashing, savage passages that feel wildly overdone. In addition, the sonics are heavily weighted toward the bass end, so that timpani and double basses boom out almost louder than the rest of the orchestra. Prokofiev's snare drum parts jump out of the speakers like artillery.

These distortions ruin an otherwise exciting performance; the remainder of the CD, including an excellent Classical Sym. and a run-of-the-mill Lt. Kije Suite, are not afflicted with similar problems. I will stick with my previous favorites in the Prokofiev Fifth, Bernstein on Sony and the universally acclaimed Karajan on DG.

A truly wonderful recording .......2004-11-16

I strongly recommend this recording to anybody who loves Prokofiev music. The "Classical Symphony" sparkles with wit, humour, and intelligence while the Fifth symphony, in contrast, is life itself. It has everything, beauty, ugliness, warmth, harshness, love, irony, and even a cold-blooded feeling. Mr. Temirkanov and the St.Petersburg Philharmonic perform these pieces as if they were the creator of the music. Everything has its meaning. They simply understand what the music is about and they are to make you believe it.

Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1 "Classical" & 5

Average customer rating:

Prokofiev Symphonies
Not quite there
Excellent Fifth!

Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1 "Classical" & 5

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Tracks:

Sym No.1 in D, Op.25 'Classical': 1. Allegro
Sym No.1 in D, Op.25 'Classical': 2. Larghetto
Sym No.1 in D, Op.25 'Classical': 3. Gavotta: Non troppo allegro
Sym No.1 in D, Op.25 'Classical': 4. Finale: Molto vivace
Sym No.5 in B flat, Op.100: 1. Andante
Sym No.5 in B flat, Op.100: 2. Allegro marcato
Sym No.5 in B flat, Op.100: 3. Adagio
Sym No.5 in B flat, Op.100: 4. Allegro giocoso

Customer Reviews:

Prokofiev Symphonies.......2005-11-29

On this disk is a nice representation of Sergei Prokofiev's symphonic works, ones which at first seem diametrically opposed, but which in the end, is clearly the voice of a modern master.

The Classical Symphony, Prokofiev's first symphony, was not just an exercise in composition, but Prokofiev, who normally composed at the piano, wanted to try without. The end result is a surprisingly charming work, little expected from Prokofiev at the time. In all four movements, he writes charming, imaginative and memorable melodies of a "classical" structure, along with "classical" textures and articulations. The harmonies are "romantic" in nature, often taking unusual side trips to unexpected progressions. Not a terrible long work, the style is evocative of Stamitz's classical symphonies rather than Mozart or Haydn's, but the voice is clearly a modern one. The outer movements are whimsical and brash while the inner ones are a bit more on the courtly side.

The Fifth Symphony is a much more aggressive work. Creating sounds we are used to from Prokofiev, he uses dissonance in accord with his great orchestrations and melodic writing. The 1st and 3rd movements are ones of great angst and the longest (both over 12 minutes). One wonders if Prokofiev were not constrained by the Stalin regime if his musical language would show such emotion. It is in the 2nd and last movements that Prokofiev's mastery of melody shines forth. The jumpy scherzo melody of the 2nd movement continues the gloom of the 1st, but sheds some humor (or perhaps folk elements) on the work. The almost sunny, but certainly expansive, melody of the 4th movement is given to the clarinet, giving the finale a more lighthearted feel after the great lyricism and gloom of the 3rd movement. A great symphony; both works on the disk are the heights of Prokofiev's symphonic writing.

James Levine and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra have recorded together previously with great success. This disk is no let down. In the Classical Symphony, Levine follows all the articulation markings in the score giving Chicago a much different sound than in the latter work, one with great alacrity and lightness. The extroverted nature of the Fifth Symphony is perfect for Chicago to drive home. Levine brings home a winner, and the great pairing on one CD doesn't go unnoticed. If you can find it, you can't go wrong.

Not quite there.......2001-06-30

Some parts are very close. But this CD falls short ultimately. The "Classical" is the biggest misfire: Levine's concept is very romantic and heavy for a quicksilver work. Much of the clever economy of thought and charm of content are lost. But even the mighty 5th isn't quite right. Some of the tempi relationships are tenuous, and the first movement is just too FAST. Epic shapes are glossed over, climactic moments are missed, and the percussion, while impressive, isn't impressive *enough.* The third movement too is inexpliucably rushed--Andante rather than Adagio--and the big central climax never seems to arise organically from the material that preceeds it but rather just appears out of nowhere, almost sounding spliced in (in an aesthetic sense...technical it sounds fine). The finale is also a bit too fast for its own good--it feels as though the CSO is skating over the music and thus it feels disconnected from the other movements rather than a logical and inevitable build-up. Still there are some fine moments in this 5th: the scherzo is a gas, as is much of the finale (at least from a virtuoso standpoint). And some parts, leading into and out of the central section of the slow movement, work. The finest Prokofiev 5th I've ever heard is (believe it or not) Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, 1977, on RCA, unfortunately never released on CD. (This is not to be confused with the Sony recording, which is on disc...that recording is fair, but not great.) If RCA ever sees fit to put their recording on CD grab it, or if you collect used vinyl and come across it, do the same. Meanwhile this recording is fine. You wouldn't "go wrong" in buying it. But somehow with the caliber of forces at work, and the excellent reviews, I expected better.

Excellent Fifth!.......2001-06-22

I believe that James Levine is what I catagorize as a "bold" conductor, because his performance is rather strongly heavily played whenever he plays with the orchestra, especially the Chicago Symphony. Similar reason with Karajan too. That's why I recommend you to buy Abbado's performance for Prokofiev's first symphony, rather than Levines. The first symphony is supposedly petite and delicate, and "twitchy". Abbado performs with clarity and his tempo is excellent; Levine plays a bit heavily, as well as Karajan. On the brighter side, Levine performs very well on the almighy fifth symphony, nicknamed "The Heroic". When I heard the music for the very first time, it was totally awesome! The first movement is my favorite. The brass is excellent, but the percussion players, I really want to thank, are the best! I am truly moved by the powerful blended sound of the crash cymbal and the tam-tam at the ending part of the movement. That just made me say "WOW! Titanic!" Just totally awesome, much better than Ashkenazy's, which tended on putting the purcussions a bit behind from the brass. If you never heard the music, I think you should try this CD out for Prokofiev's fifth symphony. If you're after the first, though, look for Abbado.

Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 7; The Love for Three Oranges; Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker Suite

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Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 7; The Love for Three Oranges; Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker Suite

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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A Man for All Seasons (Special Edition)

ASIN: B000MCIB4S
Release Date: 2007-03-20

Tracks:

I. Miniature Overture
II. March
III. Dance Of The Sugar-Plum Fairy
IV. Trepak (Russian Dance)
V. Arabian Dance
VI. Chinese Dance
VII. Dance Of The Reed-Flutes
VIII. Waltz Of The Flowers
Les Ridicules
II. Scene Infernale
III. Marche
IV. Scherzo
V. Le Prince Et La Princesse
I. Allegro
II. Larghetto
III. Gavotta (Non Troppo Allegro)
IV. Finale (Molto Vivace)
I. Moderato
II. Allegretto
III. Andante Espressivo
IV. Vivace

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Vibrant, Interpreted Prokofiev

Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tracks:

Sym No.1 in D, op.23 'Classical': I. Allegro
Sym No.1 in D, op.23 'Classical': II. Larghetto
Sym No.1 in D, op.23 'Classical': III. Gavotta: non troppo allegro
Sym No.1 in D, op.23 'Classical': IV. Finale: molto vivace
Sym No.5 in B flat, op.100: I. Andante
Sym No.5 in B flat, op.100: II. Allegro marcato
Sym No.5 in B flat, op.100: III Adagio
Sym No.5 in B flat, op.100: IV. Allegro giocoso

Customer Reviews:

Vibrant, Interpreted Prokofiev.......2002-08-22

This disc represents some of the finest playing I've ever heard--period. The clarity of passagework, especially in the upper strings and woodwinds, is seldom equalled. Prokofiev's frequent use of octaves can be challenging for lesser orchestras, but this group pulls it off with no difficulty. The First Symphony, although seemingly easy, certainly is not, with its frequent stabs in the upper register of the strings and brass. The last movement's tempo is astoundingly fast and the orchestra plays it with ease. Dutoit's finish of the Fifth Symphony is one of the most thrilling and terrifying things I've ever heard--bar none. If you like Prokofiev, buy this disc.

Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1, 5, 6 & 7, Autumnal

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Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1, 5, 6 & 7, Autumnal
Ashkenazy , and Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Manufacturer: Decca/Universal
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Binding: Audio CD

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Prokofiev: The Love of Three Oranges - Suite; Symphonies Nos. 1 & 7

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The Classic "Classical" & More

Prokofiev: The Love of Three Oranges - Suite; Symphonies Nos. 1 & 7

Manufacturer: Class. for Pleas. Us
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ASIN: B000027F5E
Release Date: 2004-03-02

Tracks:

The Love Of Three Oranges-Ste, Op.33A: Les Ridicules-Scene Infernale
The Love Of Three Oranges-Ste, Op.33A: Marche-Scherzo-Le Prince Et La Princesse
Sym No.1 In D Major, Op.25 'Classical': I. Allegro
Sym No.1 In D Major, Op.25 'Classical': II. Larghetto
Sym No.1 In D Major, Op.25 'Classical': III. Gavotte (Non Troppo Allegro)
Sym No.1 In D Major, Op.25 'Classical': IV. Finale (Molto Vivace)
Sym No.7 In C# Minor, Op.131: I. Moderato
Sym No.7 In C# Minor, Op.131: II. Allegretto
Sym No.7 In C# Minor, Op.131: III. Andante Espressivo
Sym No.7 In C# Minor, Op.131: Fourth movt: Vivace

Customer Reviews:

The Classic "Classical" & More.......2006-01-12

I was delighted to recently discover that copies of this CD still remained on Amazon. Nicolai Malko's Prokofiev recordings have been hailed by critics and fans alike since they were made at the dawn of the stereo age in 1955. Walter Legge used Malko sparingly with the Philharmonia Orchestra, and largely to record Russian fare, yet all of the performances I have encountered whether on his title in the "Great Conductors of the Century" series (see my review), or his Testament CD are all fabulous. The Love of Three Oranges Suite and the 7th Symphony (which appears on the aforementioned GCOTC set BTW) are wonderful, but as good as they are, it is the 1st Symphony that is the true star here -- it is THE classic "Classical." Get this Malko/Prokofiev disc while you can.

Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5 "Classical"

Average customer rating:

A Prokofiev Symphony # 1 to compete with Karajan/Berlin

Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5 "Classical"

Manufacturer: Amadis
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00005YB03
Release Date: 1999-09-01

Customer Reviews:

A Prokofiev Symphony # 1 to compete with Karajan/Berlin.......2007-06-08

This is one of the very best Prokofiev Symphonies 1 and 5 CDs available. The wind sections sound really clear, with no senseless blunders, and also the percussion sounds picture perfect. Yes, Steve, I have to agree with you on the sound quality. The only comparison to this Symphony no. 1 reading is Karajan's(Sony DVD Telemondial). Leonard Bernstein and Eugene Ormandy are thoroughly pathetic in comparison with Gunzenhauser's or Karajan's reading of either one of those symphonies. There are other equally good readings besides those two, but go with this one.

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