Customer Reviews

Sergei Prokofiev - 50th Anniversary Edition

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

 

 

I was introduced to the music of Prokofiev through his symphonies, and was immediately drawn in by the beauty of his music. So I bought this box set without listening to any other of his works first.

I was not disappointed in any way. Here, collected together very nicely, are a large portion of Prokofiev's works. Many of the performances here are reissues of past recordings, mostly from the '80s and early '90s. There are many eminent performers here, such as Mstislav Rostropovich (Prokofiev was a good friend and teacher of Rostropovich, and dedicated his Cello concerto to him after hearing him play), Seiji Ozawa, Jean-Pierre Rampal, and many other excellent musicians and orchestras. Rest assured that these are some of the best performances available of the works included.

The recording quality is unquestionable. Most of the performances are digital, clean, and rich (no distorted, thin, distant, or weak recordings here!). The only disc which contains poor recordings is the Archive Recordings disc, which is understandable as the recordings are very old (including Prokofiev playing or singing some of his own works and some works by other composers).

As for range of compositions included, we have here a magnificent collection of Prokofiev's most important music (and some of his rarer pieces as well): his entire symphonies and concertos, a selection of his instrumental music (including violin, flute, cello, and piano sonatas), many of his stage works including Romeo & Juliet, Alexander Nevsky, the Prodigal Son, The Steel Step, The Love for Three Oranges, Lieutenant Kije, etc., and an entire recording of his War and Peace opera.

One inclusion that I find somewhat baffling is that of 4 different versions of Peter and the Wolf: English, German, Spanish, and French. I would have been content with just the English, but I suppose listeners from other countries can benefit from the other languages.

I really can think of no better way to start a collection of Prokofiev's music. Here you can get his major works, and for a decent price (used copies can be a very good deal). If you are interested in the music of Prokofiev, or in 20th century classical music, this set is a great way to get a thorough introduction to Prokofiev. Highly recommended!

I think it's needless to say how famous are S. Prokofiev and his works. I just want to give some details about this collectible gem.

This boxset has 5 parts:

-Sonatas box: Instrumental and chamber music. 5 CDs including sonatas for violin(s), sonatas for piano, piano and cello, piano and flute. Music for childen, and a quintet (G minor)
-Concertos box: 4 CDs. Including concertos for violin(no1 and 2), for piano, symphony-concerto for cello.
-Symphonies box: 4 CDs from sym No1 to sym no7. no4: Op.47 and Op.112
-Stage works and Films scores: 6 CDs. Romeo and Juliet, Peter and the wolf, Alexander Nevsky, Scythian Suite, The Prodigal Son, Cinderella, The love for three oranges...
-War and Peace opera: 4CDs
-Bonus: Role music. Including piano pieces.

There is no question about the quality:
-Sound: 5 stars
-Performers technique: 5 stars
-Boxes and color: 5 stars
-Price: $7/CD is acceptable.

Finally, I would like to use Sviatoslav Prokofiev's words: "This Anniversary boxset is a most impressive testimony to the interest my father's music arouse among artists, orchestras and audiences alike."

In 2003, with motive of being reminding the 50th anniversary of Prokoviev's death this album was possible to release it.

A careful and meticulous selection of his most emblematic Op. took place in order to carve in relief his decisive importance as well as late influence over the future generations to come.

So, for many music lovers who are really engaged with this prominent Russian composer, this album is a true blessing, a long expected item.

A must-have, but the only flaw is that really overlooks the great and historical versions of the past (think about the famous Seventh Symphony recorded by Walter Weller and Jean Martinon, the violin sonatas for Oistrakh and Richter in Salzburg, the extraordinary set of Violin Concertos by Ricci and Ansermet, the set of unsurpassable Prokoviev's sonatas by Gyorgy Sandor, the set of Piano Concertos recorded by John Browning and Erich Leindsdorff during the late fifties -fortunately available in Testament label- or the memorable Cello Concerto by Martha Walewska from 1973).

That is the main reason why I can't give it five stars.