Customer Reviews

Prokofiev: Greatest Hits

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I have to admit I was a bit disappointed there was nothing from Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3, which is what the Amy Irving character played in the film, "The Competition." I also think it is one of the iconoclastic composer's finest works. What you will find on this collection are a lot of excerpts from his score for the film "Lieutenant Kije" and symphonic fairy tale "Peter and the Wolf." Again, I am surprised there is nothing here from his film scores for "Alexander Nevsky" or "Ivan the Terrible." My favorite "new" piece that I discovered on this CD would be the March from "The Love for Three Oranges," although I also like the excerpt from Prokofiev's Classical Symphony in D Major. Despite my personal preferences, I have to admit this collection is a very nice introduction to the music of Sergei Sergeivich Prokofiev.

Prokofiev is the type of composer I imagine liked to take orchestral colors by the handful and throw them at the wall. Splat. Michael Tilson Thomas is a conductor who apparently feels the same. He keeps the orchestra tight, as in the surprisingly vivace entrance of the brass during "The Birth of Kijé" and the scattering strings around the trumpet's solo in "Kijé's Wedding." Beyond that, he knows that most listeners associate "Troika" with sleigh rides and winter, so the sleigh bells get top billing. Everything about this humorous suite, the bass and tuba solos, the trumpet's distant opening and final call, even the slightly off-balance piccolo are featured lovingly and playfully. I can't provide the listener with any critique of the rest of this recording as I only downloaded "Lieutenant Kijé," but that alone, for me, is worth the price of the whole thing.

I love Prokofiev. But I hate Yank crap. It has spoiled a great compilation. It was beautiful, up until 'Peter and the Wolf', one of my favourite adventures. But then along came an American narrator explaining the story. Why is there this 'Disney' crap amidst some beautiful music? (All respects to Walt).
'Lieutenant Kije' is one of the best stories produced by humanity of a man who did not exist throughout his birth, marriage and death. Don't let this piece of brilliance be swamped by crap.
A good compilation, but I strongly suggest you go for untainted versions of Prokofiev.
P.S. The Daleks will eventually conquer staircases. Be warned. Three oranges are not enough.