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Site review by Castor January 13, 2010
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Performance: Sonics: |
Valery Gergiev has always had a particularly close affinity with the music of Prokofiev, as his many fine performances and recordings of the composer’s works testify. The latter includes outstanding versions of the operas The Love for Three Oranges, Semyon Kotko and War and Peace, the five Piano Concertos with Alexander Toradze and the seven Symphonies with the LSO on Philips, a set that it to be hoped will one day be re-released in SACD on the LSO Live Label.
This is Gergiev’s second complete recording of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet. The first, made with his Mariinsky Orchestra some twenty years ago, again for Philips, still sounds well though the performance and orchestral playing on that version are at times less than riveting. However, the frisson created by this new live recording, thanks in no small part to the supremely confident and committed playing of the LSO combined with the conductor’s more refined interpretation of the music, makes these new SACDs unmissable.
Gergiev’s overall conception of the score has not changed much over the years. It is essentially fast moving and vividly dramatic, though conversely often more lyrical and less hard driven, than say Lorin Maazel’s incisive 1978 recording with the Cleveland Orchestra on Decca (RBCD). The total timing of this new version (138’58”) has shaved about five minutes off Gergiev’s earlier set to the undoubted advantage of the performance. The lively dances race along with tremendous élan while the impact of Prokofiev’s achingly tender and searingly tragic passages, such as many of those found in much of Act 3 of the ballet, are moulded with breathtaking sensitivity. Gergiev’s decision to bring the full score to audiences in the concert hall as well as the theatre is totally vindicated by the sharp focus of this performance; never for a moment are there any longeuers in his unfolding of the drama, via Prokofiev’s miraculous orchestral writing.
The sound quality of the 5.1 channel DSD recording is amongst the best that this label has given us. Prokofiev’s idiosyncratic and vibrant orchestration seems much better suited to the clear Barbican acoustic than that of many other composers. The pungent woodwind, sparkling percussion and Prokofiev’s frequent use of the bass drum and weighty lower brass all are vividly reproduced with realistic impact.
Highly recommended.
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Copyright © 2010 Graham Williams and SA-CD.net
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Review by hiredfox January 25, 2010 (11 of 13 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics (S): |
There can be very few certainties in this life which is probably pre-ordained to keep us on our toes. Sometimes 'though a combination of circumstances can lead to a situation where a predictable outcome might be expected if not guaranteed.
This disc (or rather discs) is/are a case in point. Add together an orchestra on top of the world with a conductor who is regarded as the foremost interpreter of Prokofiev's music with the most accessible, virtuosic and tuneful of all Prokofiev's works on a label seeking the very highest levels of reproduced sonic realism and for sure you would have every right to expect a smash hit and this is exactly what you get.
At over two hours in length, to plan to sit through this in one session might be the most daunting of prospects but in practice you experience almost the opposite. Projected in one of the most convincing three dimensional sound-scapes I have ever heard from a two-channel set-up this is a superb recording; the most compassionate and sensitive conducting yet from Gergiev especially with these players and of course with his Kirov experience banked, combined with masterful and sonically intriguing solo lines throughout - look out especially for the opening bars of the second disc.. oh! oh! oh!; not a hint of a missed note anywhere, this journey becomes a foot-tapping, rhythmic master piece that is irresistible.
It is over almost as soon as you are settled which surely is a fine tribute, my first reaction as the last notes died away was to spin it all over again - but damn! - it was past the bewitching hour and bad things can happen to people after that, if they enjoy their pleasures too greatly.
This must be by any measure the best LSO Live disc yet, it is guaranteed rave reviews, will likely be a front runner for disc of the decade. Without doubt the finest Romeo & Juliet yet and probably will ever be. At £10.99 for two full discs by the LSO and Gergiev and top-notch recording in DSD... If that isn't a bargain, nothing can be.
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