Customer Reviews

Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kijé Suite; Symphony No. 5 [Hybrid SACD]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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!

I'm a little biased when it comes to anything by Paavo & the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra only because I live in Cincinnati, and in my opinion, is only 2nd to Boston! This recording is great and the fact that it's a hybrid SACD makes it even better!! Lt. Kije is by far my favorite piece from Prokofiev, and this one is great. I am saddened, however, that this is one of the last by Paavo with the CSO, as he has left us!! I do recommend this to all fans of classical music.

If like me, you follow conductors as much as composers, and recording labels, as much as orchestras, then perhaps this review is for you.

For example, my favorite conductor has always been Leopold Stokowski regardless of orchestra or record label. His brilliance always shown through whether he recorded on record labels like Everest, RCA "Shaded Dogs", London, or with orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, RCA Victor Symphony, NBC Symphony Orchestra or his own symphony orchestra. I have more than fifty years worth of his recordings and for me; no one else has challenged his supremacy as a conductor. Until now that is.

I freely admit my unabashed bias for Stokowski in hopes it will mean something when I lavish praise on another conductor by comparing him favorably to Stokowski. This is the first time I have done so because for me, "Leopold" is the man. Ever see the Bugs Bunny cartoon where Bugs dresses up as "Leopold" to conduct/abuse a snobby tenor, or Walt Disney's Fantasia? I'm not the only one with this conceit.

I took a flyer on Paavo Jarvi with the 2008 release of the SACD Hybrid CD version of Prokofiev's Lt. Kije Suite/Symphony No. 5, mainly because I have respect for the Telarc label and the quality of the recordings it produces and I didn't have any of Jarvis's performances in my collection. Boy did I hit pay dirt! I was rewarded with something far more precious to me than adding another competent performance of Lt. Kije, of which I have several, to my collection. This one goes straight to the top of my recommended list for these Prokofiev works.

Each conductor and orchestra brings something to any interpretation of a composer's work and unless there's some gross flaw in the recording or production process I can listen to and enjoy all of them, preferring some slightly more than others, but mostly, they're just different. Your preference may be different from the critic's who laud one performance and lambaste another; in fact yours may be the opposite.

So, even if you have never heard of Leopold Stokowski and don't own a single LP, CD, or SACD of any one of his performances, if you listen to this SACD you'll be getting something very special, recorded on high resolution media (SACD) using Direct Stream Digital throughout the recording and mastering process, something Stokowski (1882 - 1977) never lived to see. And maybe you'll begin to see what the hoopla over "Leopold" is all about. For that matter, what SACD is all about. I hope so. As for me, I'll be stocking up on Paavo Jarvi performances to add to my music collection. Bravo.

Bartoff