Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5

Sergei Prokofiev (Composer), Eugene Ormandy (Conductor), Philadelphia Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Philadelphia Orchestra
• Conductor: Eugene Ormandy
• Composer: Sergei Prokofiev
• Audio CD (October 19, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000028X3
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #348,722 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not EO's best Prokofiev 5th, December 5, 2000

By 

John Grabowski (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5 (Audio CD)

Unfortunately, the best recording Ormandy ever made of the 5th (and indeed one of the very best performances of the work ever made) has never been on CD: the 1977 RCA recording, also with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Ormandy's conception is even more matured by then, the first movement more epic, the scherzo wilder and more snarly, the slow movement hauntingly lyrical and sad. The present recording is better than many out there (so many just amble through the first movement at too brisk a tempo), but he has trouble integrating the second theme of the first movement convincingly, and there are some great climactic moments that here just don't get their due. The PO has their usual sheen, and the miking here is actually a bit more realistic than on that RCA recording (where the cellos sound isolated and small at times), but nothing here can make up for the hair-raising climax to the slow movement in the 1977 reading. And the slow movement climax here is a letdown...the later recording will make your hair stand up on the back of your neck. Memo to RCA: wake up, smell the coffee and rerelease your masterpiece.

The "Classical" Symphony on this disc is a bit puzzling. The second movement, called Larghetto, is taken by Ormandy at a very brisk pace--faster than an Andante--and the lyricism is lost as a result. The Gavotte lacks charm, and the finale isn't as rollicking as I'd like. My favorite "Classical" remains Gennady Rostesdvensky's, who mananges to miraculously capture the spirit of both Haydn *and* Prokofiev in his wonderful performance, which used to be available on Melodiya (haven't checked lately).

(Addendum: the great 1977 Ormandy Prokofiev 5th is now available on CD in a Japanese reissue, but alas not in the USA, not even as an import. So don't even bother looking on Amazon's Japanese site for it. I got mine from HMV's online store in Japan. Since Amazon won't let me post links here, I'll just say Google "hmv.co.jp" to find the site, then search for "Prokofiev 5th Ormandy." The CD version comes pared with a Peter & The Wolf--narrated by David Bowie! Price, including airmail shipping, is 2,400 yen, which comes to 19 bucks and some change...quite reasonable given the circumstances. I ordered mine on a Monday and had it by Friday.)

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What are you waiting for!?, April 25, 1999

By 

Gregory M. Zinkl (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5 (Audio CD)

Ormandy in Prokofiev, with his Philadelphians, offers a thrilling performance of both works. Indeed, the performance of #1 has to be one of the most enjoyable I've ever come across. #5 is no less well done; in fact, it is the primary reason I recommend that you lay down the 7 lousy bucks and treat yourself to some exquisite, exciting, tonally-alluring and virtuosic music-making.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Joy!, July 3, 2004

By 

Michael (Washington, D.C. area) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5 (Audio CD)

This recording is a joy to listen to. The "Classical" Symphony is fast-paced, witty, and energetic. The Fifth Symphony is noble and majestic, with glowing contributions from all sections of the orchestra. (The striving, heroic theme of the first movement is one of the iconic themes of 20th-century music.)These recordings, incidentally, were made by the Philly Orchestra in Town Hall and Brentwood Hotel in Philadelphia, respectively. Sony should be commended for putting out these low-priced reissues of classic recordings. They're perfect for people on a budget who want to put together a catholic classical CD library.