Customer Reviews

Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 in B flat, Op. 100; Three Waltzes, Op. 110

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
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Prokofiev's orchestrations, like Beethoven's, are naturally heavy. As a composer known for his precocity, the weight of the orchestration is obviously meant as an in-your-face dare. It is therefore important to exploit this fact as much as possible.

Aided by wonderful technical recording aspects, Järvi's interpretation of Prokofiev's symphonies and other symphonic works is unmatched. These recordings with the Scottish National Orchestra contain great acoustic reverberation, ecstatic woodwinds, fiery strings, and blaring brass. If you're a fan of French Horns especially, then you'll love these recordings.

Järvi never loses a sense of playfulness. The orchestra stays together quite nicely, and you may actually have to turn the volume down at times! There are certainly other terrific recordings of Prokofiev's orchestral works. I'm mainly thinking of an old recording of the Fifth I had with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra. But why bother? Your search stops here.

Sergey Sergeyevich Prokofiev

Symphony No. 5 in B flat, op. 100
Waltz Suite op. 110

Neeme Jarvi
Scottish National Orchestra
Edwin Paling

(Chandos - DDD - 1986)

Jarvi and the Scottish National Orchestra made a fantastic series of CDs of various Prokofiev symphonies and every one of them is a near definitive recording. This version of the Symphony Number 5 is one of the three best even within that series. The Waltz Suite are from three larger pieces: Track 5 is "since we met" from War and Peace, Track 6 is "Mephisto Waltz" from Lermontov, and track 7 is "End of the fairy tale" from Cinderella. All splendidly done. This CD is highly recommended.
This CD deserves Five Stars.