Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kijé Suite; Symphony No. 5

Sergey Prokofiev (Composer), Paavo Järvi (Conductor), Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Paavo Järvi
• Composer: Sergey Prokofiev
• Audio CD (January 29, 2008)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B000ZU98E4
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #177,511 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Gentler Prokoviev, February 11, 2008

By 

Dick Doc (Blue Bell, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kijé Suite; Symphony No. 5 [Hybrid SACD] (Audio CD)

This is the first such "review" I have ever done. I own all of the CSO/Telarc recordings, having once lived in Cincinnati, and thought this was one way to keep supporting their orchestra, so I may be biased. I lost my previous recording of the Prokoviev and was pleased when this one showed up on the radar screen. The recording is done at a slightly softer recording level, but is excellent, as one would expect of a Telarc product. The orchestra plays well and, as I often find, I discover things I do not hear in other recordings or in the concert hall. These performances seem to be crafted with care, perhaps too much so. I was looking for more bite, particularly in the second movement of the 5th, much more similar to that of the 4th movement. The liner notes suggest that Jarvi had a reason for this, but I would have liked more of a snarl, more digging into the strings and more presence to the percussion. I thought the Kije was a bit staid and could have used a bit more musical humor. All that said, I enjoy both pieces and would likely buy them again. I just wish they were 5 rather than 4-star interpretations.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great addition to the rich CSO/Paavo Jarvi body of work, March 1, 2008

By 

Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kijé Suite; Symphony No. 5 [Hybrid SACD] (Audio CD)

Since Paavo Jarvi became the Cincinnati Symphony's Music Director in September, 2001, the Telearc label has issued 2 albums a year of the CSO directed by Maestro Jarvi, pretty much like clockwork. This is the 13th in the series, and in fact the second all-Prokofiev CD under Paavo Jarvi, as in 2003 they released the excellent "Romeo & Juliet" album.

This CD (64 min.) collects 2 works of Prokofiev, starting of with his Symphony No.5. This is not the most immediately accessible Prokofiev symphony, but Maestro Jarvi brings it with panache. I especially like the third and fourth (final) movements. As is usually the case with a Telearc recording, the audio quality of this CD is nothing short of spectacular.

The other Prokofiev piece on here is the Lieutenant Kije Suite, and it is the true gem on this CD, as I am completely enchanted by this performance, with the CSO bringing it with finesse, warmth and joy. The orchestra sounds fantastic throughout, starting with the opening military-oriented theme ("Birth of Kije"), followed by the well-known "Romance" theme, and gradually expanding ("Wedding of Kije") to its somber conclusion ("Burial of Kije").

Paavo Jarvi and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra are touring Europe again next month (April). Yes, the shadow of the Cleveland Orchestra is long, but under the guidance of Maestro Jaarvi, the CSO continues to shine, and this new album is ample proof of that. Highly recommended!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Paavo Jarvi revisits Prokofiev with great result, March 1, 2008

By 

Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kijé Suite; Symphony No. 5 (Audio CD)

Since Paavo Jarvi became the Cincinnati Symphony's Music Director in September, 2001, the Telearc label has issued 2 albums a year of the CSO directed by Maestro Jarvi, pretty much like clockwork. This is the 13th in the series, and in fact the second all-Prokofiev CD under Paavo Jarvi, as in 2003 they released the excellent "Romeo & Juliet" album.

This CD (64 min.) collects 2 works of Prokofiev, starting of with his Symphony No.5. This is not the most immediately accessible Prokofiev symphony, but Maestro Jarvi brings it with panache. I especially like the third and fourth (final) movements. As is usually the case with a Telearc recording, the audio quality of this CD is nothing short of spectacular.

The other Prokofiev piece on here is the Lieutenant Kije Suite, and it is the true gem on this CD, as I am completely enchanted by this performance, with the CSO bringing it with finesse, warmth and joy. The orchestra sounds fantastic throughout, starting with the opening military-oriented theme ("Birth of Kije"), followed by the well-known "Romance" theme, and gradually expanding ("Wedding of Kije") to its somber conclusion ("Burial of Kije").

Paavo Jarvi and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra are touring Europe again next month (April). Yes, the shadow of the Cleveland Orchestra is long, but under the guidance of Maestro Jaarvi, the CSO continues to shine, and this new album is ample proof of that. Highly recommended!