Symphonies 1 & 5 / Lt. Kije Suite / Cinderella

Prokofiev (Artist), Tilson Thomas (Artist), London So (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 2, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000029YZ
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #472,786 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Symphony No. 5 in B flat major, Op. 100: Andante - S. Prokofiev

2. Symphony No. 5 in B flat major, Op. 100: Allegro Marcato - S. Prokofiev

3. Symphony No. 5 in B flat major, Op. 100: Adagio - S. Prokofiev

4. Symphony No. 5 in B flat major, Op. 100: Allegro Giocoso - S. Prokofiev

5. Symphony No. 1 in D major ('Classical'), Op. 25: Allegro Con Brio - S. Prokofiev

6. Symphony No. 1 in D major ('Classical'), Op. 25: Larghetto - S. Prokofiev

7. Symphony No. 1 in D major ('Classical'), Op. 25: Gavotte. Non troppo Allegro - S. Prokofiev

8. Symphony No. 1 in D major ('Classical'), Op. 25: Finale. Molto Vivace - S. Prokofiev

Disc: 2

1. Lieutenant Kijé, film score and suite for orchestra, Op. 60: No. 1, 'Birth of Kije'

2. Lieutenant Kijé, film score and suite for orchestra, Op. 60: No. 2, 'Romance'

3. Lieutenant Kijé, film score and suite for orchestra, Op. 60: No. 3, 'Kije's Wedding'

4. Lieutenant Kijé, film score and suite for orchestra, Op. 60: No. 4, 'Troika'

5. Lieutenant Kijé, film score and suite for orchestra, Op. 60: No. 5, 'Burial of Kije'

6. The Love for Three Oranges, suite for orchestra, Op. 33 bis: No. 1, 'Ridiculous fellows'

7. The Love for Three Oranges, suite for orchestra, Op. 33 bis: No. 2, 'Magician Celio and Fata Morgana play cards' (Infernal scene)

8. The Love for Three Oranges, suite for orchestra, Op. 33 bis: No. 3, 'March'

9. The Love for Three Oranges, suite for orchestra, Op. 33 bis: No. 4, 'Scherzo'

10. The Love for Three Oranges, suite for orchestra, Op. 33 bis: No. 5, 'The Prince and the Princess'

See all 19 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The main attraction here is Michael Tilson Thomas's 1991 account of the Fifth Symphony with the LSO. Of all the available versions, none matches it for idiomatic feeling, spot-on accuracy of playing, and sonic excellence. One is struck by the extraordinary detail in Thomas's reading of the piece--it's all there in the score, but for once, one actually hears it in performance. Even more impressive is the magnificence of the overall conception. The cinematic sweep of this music, and the powerful emotions it evokes, emerge unmistakably. Thomas also captures the lightness and acerbic wit that make the Classical Symphony so remarkable. The breadth of the programming on this 2-CD set, which includes the popular Lt. Kijé Suite as well as a suite drawn from Prokofiev's wartime ballet Cinderella, makes it a particularly worthwhile offering. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The grandeur of the human spirit on disc, June 12, 2000

By 

Scott Taylor - See all my reviews

This review is from: Symphonies 1 & 5 / Lt. Kije Suite / Cinderella (Audio CD)

Sergei Prokofiev's "Fifth Symphony" is monumental in a number of ways. The Opus 100 for any composer is a landmark. It is a milestone in the life of a creating musical artist. Prokofiev chose to celebrate this by writing a symphony which would celebrate "the grandeur of the human spirit" - and he has done just that. Michael Tilson Thomas leads the London Symphony Orchestra remarkably. The composer's text is epic - calling for an enormous orchestra. Prokofiev often augmented the highs and lows in his orchestration: E-flat clarinet, piccolo, xylophone and bells - piano, bass drum, tuba, contrabassoon et al, respectively. What is most extraordinary about this particular recording is the detail and finesse with which the orchestra plays. There are many moments of excitement and sensation. MTT makes the most of many moments and leads the work with fire at times, subtlety and quiet intensity at others. There is some careless brass vibrato at times, more piano-tremolo than necessary at other times, but always bravaura and emotion throughout. Montreal may have a better First Movement with Dutoit, and Karajan may have the more historic reading - but this recording is not be to ignored. It is essential in the recorded history of the work, and in the conductor's personal catalogue of work on disc. Very exciting output! The rest of the collection contains fine recordings of Prokofiev's oeuvre - even the "Classical Symphony, op. 25", a mainstay in the repertoire of every major orchestra. Colin Davis is not quite the inspiration in his accounts, but is able and provides decent interpretations. Well-worth owning at this great price. A must-own for the Fifth, truly one of Prokofiev's greatest works.