Prokofiev: The Stone Flower

Sergey Prokofiev (Composer), Gianandrea Noseda (Conductor), BBC Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra)

Product Details

• Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Gianandrea Noseda
• Composer: Sergey Prokofiev
• Audio CD (May 20, 2003)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Chandos
• ASIN: B00008WQB1
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #166,625 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Glorious Score, January 30, 2007

By	G. Moore - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After years of being entranced by segments of the score on some obsecure recording lable, I finally came across this full length recording and became completely overwhelmed: I was in love with the score. Several years later I had the opportunity to choreograph and design a new production of Stone Flower. During the creative time I reallized that one cannot listen to the score as only an accompaniment to a story-ballet. No, it is far more than that; it is the musical evocation of the composers deep and abiding love of his country. Prokofiev has exposed every aspect of who he is in this remarkable work: from the earthy, rhythmical folk sections, to the wonderment he would have experienced were he to enter the realm of the Mistress of the Copper Mountain, every note, every theme, is pure. On the surface the story seems quite elemental, however, it is far more than that: it is the story of artistic sacrifice and an examination of what love truly is. The Stone Flower is Prokofiev's "lost work" - no one knows it! It should be elevated into the pantheon of standards. Unfortunately, the only version anyone has seen is that lumbering Bolshoi production that is laughable at best. Were a choreographer of the calibre of a Nummeier or Killiam, someone not casting glances back to the Communist era, to get the vision of this work, then something truly remarkable could happen.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Underrated Work, February 21, 2006

By	Alexander K. Naylor - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When I first read of The Stone Flower it was described as an "abstract" ballet. Although its plotline is a little odd, it is in the tradition of Russian national romanticism, and though it is not innovative like Prokofiev's earlier work it is still pleasing enough to listen to. The ballet's emotional theme is a bit sentimental, but overall I believe that Prokofiev's last work has been underrated. The "Swan" melody from Ivan the Terrible has been well-altered for this work, and the bits from "Summer Day" also fit well into the ensemble. There are arresting original themes, too, such as that of the Mistress of Copper Mountain, the Dance of the Russian Jewels, and the Ural Rhapsody. The ballet's music does get repetitive near the end, so though it is not Prokofiev's best work it is still a fine piece.