Recordings That You Are Considering

[JBS]

Thoughts on these Prokofiev cycles, or any others I might be missing?

Naxos has boxed up Alsop's cycle.  I have Alsop, Ozawa, and Kitajenko. Can't really say I prefer one over the others.

[Madiel]

I don't own any, but my memory tells me that Ozawa, Jarvi and Kitajenko all have their adherents around here.

[VonStupp]

Thoughts on these Prokofiev cycles, or any others I might be missing?

I have always liked Järvi in his Prokofiev and Shostakovich symphony cycles. He is rougher with the music though, but I like his sharp edges.

[Sergeant Rock]

I have always liked Järvi in his Prokofiev and Shostakovich symphony cycles. He is rougher with the music though, but I like his sharp edges.

I like the rough Järvi too but I usually prefer the softer-edged Ozawa. He brings out the beauty in all the symphonies. One thing about Järvi that I dislike: he plays the revised "happy" ending to the Seventh.

Sarge

[VonStupp]

I like the rough Järvi too but I usually prefer the softer-edged Ozawa. He brings out the beauty in all the symphonies. One thing about Järvi that I dislike: he plays the revised "happy" ending to the Seventh.

Sarge

True, true, but he does provide Symphony 4 completely in both of its versions. Odd Järvi didn't do that with the 7th as well.

[Brian]

There will be a complete Litton box on BIS in September and he will be worth considering too. Alternative ending to #7 is provided on a separate track, powerhouse readings of 2 and 7, highly regarded 6, 1 full of cool detail, but 5 is a moderate letdown.

I don't want to act like an expert though. I barely ever have listened to 3 or either version of 4, and can't always handle the emotional punch of 6, so I don't tend to listen to full cycles.  I do know Järvi kicks lots of butt in 5!

[Mirror Image]

There will be a complete Litton box on BIS in September and he will be worth considering too. Alternative ending to #7 is provided on a separate track, powerhouse readings of 2 and 7, highly regarded 6, 1 full of cool detail, but 5 is a moderate letdown.

I don't want to act like an expert though. I barely ever have listened to 3 or either version of 4, and can't always handle the emotional punch of 6, so I don't tend to listen to full cycles.  I do know Järvi kicks lots of butt in 5!

And in the 2nd, too! The best on record, IMHO.

[Mirror Image]

Thoughts on these Prokofiev cycles, or any others I might be missing?

Here are some other cycles: Kuchar (Naxos), Litton (BIS), Rozhdestvensky (Melodiya), Alsop (Naxos), Weller (Decca), Košler (Supraphon), Gergiev (Philips), Karabits (Onyx)...okay, I think this is it for other complete cycles. To be honest, I haven't heard all of these cycles and I definitely don't have any intention of hearing them all. The Prokofiev symphonies aren't my favorite works from him. I like the 1st, 2nd and 6th symphonies the best. Two cycles that have served me well have been Rozhdestvensky and Järvi. They're both a bit rough-and-ready, but I think this music doesn't need to be smoothed over and needs to show it's thorns. I also think Litton's on BIS is a very good cycle, but you might as well wait for this to be boxed up if you plan to buy it, which will be coming out in a month or two.

[MusicTurner]

I prefer Jarvi of those I heard. There are 2 versions of no.4 in that box, btw.

Have sold Weller.

The 6th is my favourite Prokofiev symphony.

[DavidW]

My current favorites are Alsop and Litton.  While 1, 5 and 6 are legitimately some of the greatest symphonies of the 20th century I think that his other symphonies are actually very good and are underrated.  They might not be up there with like his piano sonatas and concertos but it is really good stuff.

[Mirror Image]

My current favorites are Alsop and Litton.  While 1, 5 and 6 are legitimately some of the greatest symphonies of the 20th century I think that his other symphonies are actually very good and are underrated.  They might not be up there with like his piano sonatas and concertos but it is really good stuff.

I need to revisit the Prokofiev symphonies and I think Litton will be the man for the job. I'll have to dig all recordings out storage and rip them. Thanks the nudge, Dave.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

How is the Kuchar cycle? Anybody likes it?

[Brian]

How is the Kuchar cycle? Anybody likes it?

My experience with most Kuchar Ukraine recordings on Naxos, including these, is very good exciting interpretations but loose, echoey sound which somewhat obscures the detail. Kuchar is so good in better sound on Brilliant that I wish his Naxos stuff had been better recorded because he is really dynamic, vivid, and thrilling without being tasteless or hurried.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

My experience with most Kuchar Ukraine recordings on Naxos, including these, is very good exciting interpretations but loose, echoey sound which somewhat obscures the detail. Kuchar is so good in better sound on Brilliant that I wish his Naxos stuff had been better recorded because he is really dynamic, vivid, and thrilling without being tasteless or hurried.

I thought his Walter Piston and Paul Creston discs were pretty good. Will check some Prokofiev discs by him. They maybe different from others.

[Spotted Horses]

As if I don't have enough recordings of this music.

Beethoven String Quartets, Ebene.

[prémont]

As if I don't have enough recordings of this music.

Beethoven String Quartets, Ebene.

I have passed it by, as I own forty complete sets already, and that must be enough.

[Mandryka]

As if I don't have enough recordings of this music.

Beethoven String Quartets, Ebene.

If you want I can send you a set of live recordings with better sound than those studio ones.

[Brian]

There is an unusually in-depth discussion of the Ébène cycle in this thread, including comments on playing, sound, specific quartets, and comments from both people who like it and people who dislike it: https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,29935.msg1299204.html

Personally I find that the somewhat artificial sound quality is perfect for trips in the car, where road noise would swallow up a wider dynamic range. So if you are thinking of road tripping somewhere with music, this would be an inspired choice.

[Que]

I have passed it by, as I own forty complete sets already, and that must be enough.

Perhaps an impossible question to answer, but I'll ask it anyway: what are your top picks? 

[Spotted Horses]

I have passed it by, as I own forty complete sets already, and that must be enough.

I'm not up to 40, but I think the conclusion is the same for me. I keep forgetting how many sets I have that I haven't listened to yet.