Customer Reviews

Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5 (Legendary Performers)

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

 

 

Serge Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra gave the American premiere of Prokofiev's Fifth Symphony during the Second World War, when the symphony was "hot off the presses." In fact, the recording was made only days after that 1944 premiere and it still sounds spectacular. Yes, the recording is old and scarcely 'hi-fi,' but RCA's engineers achieved a near miracle in getting sound that is still impressive for its solidity and three-dimensional sheen. The performance itself is unbelievably intense and menacing, even ferocious, with the great string section of the BSO singing out as only they could under their greatest music director. The performance of the second suite from Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet" ballet is in the same league, but the recording of the Classical Symphony isn't. Made when the BSO was on tour at Carnegie Hall, the sound quality is up-close and dry, and the magnificent tonal lustre of the orchestra just doesn't register as it does in the other recordings. Never mind; it's still a very fine performance and the disc itself fully rates 5, maybe 500, stars. Some listeners will avoid this disc because it isn't hi-fi, let alone digital stereo. That's too bad because they are missing something really special: the great Boston Symphony Orchestra at its absolute peak, playing music virtually composed to order for its very special, very beautiful sound. A sound that Serge Koussevitzky invented and brought to perfection in recordings like this.

This and a Karajan recording are supposed to be the best performances of the 5th, although I don't particularly like the composition. The Romio and Juliet suite is the best I have heard-- nothing I have listened to comes close. It is hard to imagine how it could be improved. The classical symphony is good. Although the recordings are old the sound quality is good enough to enjoy the music.