Prokofiev: Cinderella, complete ballet music Op. 87 (2 CD Set) [Import]

Sergei Prokofiev (Composer), Gennadi Rozhdestvensky (Conductor), USSR Radio & TV Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: USSR Radio & TV Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Gennadi Rozhdestvensky
• Composer: Sergei Prokofiev
• Audio CD (August 1, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Consonance
• ASIN: B000003J11
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #424,602 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential for Prokofiev Fans, July 22, 2000

By 

Sugi Sorensen (La Canada, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Prokofiev: Cinderella, complete ballet music Op. 87 (2 CD Set) (Audio CD)

Although this is Prokofiev's second most popular ballet (next to 'Romeo and Juliet'), the complete ballet has been rarely recorded on LP or disc, the most famous being Andre Previn with the LSO, Ashkenazy with the Cleveland (recently re-released), and Pletnev's much heralded 1995 release w/ the Russian National Orchestra on DGG. Rozhdestvensky eclipses them all by a wide margin. Tempos are generally brisk. He accentuates the dark passages lurking within, adding dramatic tension in passages lacking in the other recordings. And his lines are stunning at times. Consider Previn's more popular account by comparison -- it is downright moribund and sluggish.

The orchestral suite from 'The Steel Step' is also excellent. It offers a glimpse into Prokofiev when he tried to write a ballet on Soviet themes at the behest of Sergei Diaghilev. It is a monotonous, steely, dissonant work, but vividly brought to life by Rozhdestvensky's expert conducting.

The only criticism of this title is the recording quality -- the liner notes do not indicate when it was actually recorded although it is likely from the 60s or 70s. As a result, aural defects typical of Soviet recording equipment of the period can be heard, namely shrill brass and tinny violins in the upper treble regions. However, this should not detract from the musicality of these recordings.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars By far the very best recording, September 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Prokofiev: Cinderella, complete ballet music Op. 87 (2 CD Set) (Audio CD)

Rozhdestvensky's is by far the very best recording of Prokofiev's neglected ballet masterpiece. Neither Previn's nor Pletnev's comes anywhere near it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Only Convincing Version of the Score, August 7, 2011

By 

Peter P. Fuchs (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Prokofiev: Cinderella, complete ballet music Op. 87 (2 CD Set) (Audio CD)

You would think as popular as this music is there would be lots of fine performances. Sadly, like Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet there are instead lots of tawdry and crass performances, with points made too broadly and the subtleties of the score ignored. I am not even a big fan of most of G-Rod's conducting, but this one is a big exception. The score is given a delicate and caring reading, with lots of charming little corners. So that when the dramatic moments come, for instance when the bell rings, there is a sort of theatrical terror against the charm and slyness of much of the score. A real delight.