Choose a Prokofiev Symphony Cyle

[Sergeant Rock]

I am looking to finally close a big hole in my collection, that being Prokofiev's symphonies. In my own search, I was leaning towards Jarvi.

I own all the complete cycles. Ozawa and Kitajenko are my favorites (with O getting the vote). They tend to concentrate on the beauty of the scores without, I think, sacrificing truth--although they are less exciting perhaps and definitely less jarring. Ozawa has an artificial, multi-miked soundstage with instruments highlighted (the Hurwitzer's classic "Jumbo the killer oboe" reference  ) which doesn't bother me at all. Kitajenko's sonics are perfect though: detailed and realistic and gorgeous, offering a hedonistic listening experience. They both play the original ending of the Seventh, a definite plus (your stated front-runner, Järvi, tacks on the "happy ending" revision as does Weller).

Since we usually prefer opposites you can safely forget about purchasing one of my favorites and just grab Järvi, my least favorite 


Sarge

[Brahmsian]

I like Jarvi. 

[Sergeant Rock]

I like Jarvi. 

Of course you do; I would have bet my life on it 

Sarge

[Mirror Image]

I like Jarvi. 

Jarvi conducts a sizzling Symphony No. 2.

[springrite]

Jarvi conducts a sizzling Symphony No. 2.

Jarvi loves to sizzle even when it calls for simmer.

[Mirror Image]

Jarvi loves to sizzle even when it calls for simmer.

Haha...indeed.

[Ken B]

Jarvi conducts a sizzling Symphony No. 2.

Might be the right approach: there's no steak there.

[Brahmsian]

Of course you do; I would have bet my life on it 

Sarge

[mc ukrneal]

I own all the complete cycles. Ozawa and Kitajenko are my favorites (with O getting the vote). They tend to concentrate on the beauty of the scores without, I think, sacrificing truth--although they are less exciting perhaps and definitely less jarring. Ozawa has an artificial, multi-miked soundstage with instruments highlighted (the Hurwitzer's classic "Jumbo the killer oboe" reference  ) which doesn't bother me at all. Kitajenko's sonics are perfect though: detailed and realistic and gorgeous, offering a hedonistic listening experience. They both play the original ending of the Seventh, a definite plus (your stated front-runner, Järvi, tacks on the "happy ending" revision as does Weller).

Since we usually prefer opposites you can safely forget about purchasing one of my favorites and just grab Järvi, my least favorite 


Sarge

Maybe, but those three were the three from which I was most serious. The Kitajenko may be more difficult to track down at a cheaper price, but sounded great. The Ozawa is, for me, probably the safest in that it is fairly well univesally liked. Jarvi seems more risky to me, and yet not way out there. The last two can be had relatively cheaply (though I think Ozawa cheapest of all). Lots to think about.

But I hope people will keep up the votes!

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I second Malko. That was EMI's very first stereo release, my very first CD, and the sound is outstanding. It,s the only 7th I've ever really liked. I think he plays it more like a ballet. Anyway, great disc.

Yes, hard to believe this is such an early recording (1955). You'd never guess from the high quality sound. Way ahead of its time. EMI produced others like this around this time but before long things skidded into waywardness.

And Malko's interpretations make it all the more sweeter.

[Sergeant Rock]

Jarvi seems more risky to me, and yet not way out there.

Harry and Jens haven't weighed in but I believe Järvi is their favorite. And let me clarify: I don't dislike Järvi (well, except his Seventh's happy end...but even that is nice to have in the collection as an sometime alternative). I'm listening now to his Classical and, contrary to what I recall about it, it's as much simmer as sizzle.

Sarge

[NJ Joe]

This poll is of great interest to me because I only own 1 set, Gergiev, and despite repeated listenings have never been able to connect with it.  So I'm in the market to try something else.   

[NJ Joe]

Maybe, but those three were the three from which I was most serious. The Kitajenko may be more difficult to track down at a cheaper price, but sounded great. The Ozawa is, for me, probably the safest in that it is fairly well univesally liked. Jarvi seems more risky to me, and yet not way out there. The last two can be had relatively cheaply (though I think Ozawa cheapest of all). Lots to think about.

But I hope people will keep up the votes!

It certainly isn't liked by the Penguin Guide, which gives it 1 star! What's up with that?

[Sergeant Rock]

It certainly isn't liked by the Penguin Guide, which gives it 1 star! What's up with that?

Classics Today, the Hurwitzer, gave it one of his more vicious reviews too. Let's just say a bunch of us don't agree with the negative critics.

Sarge

[NJ Joe]

Classics Today, the Hurwitzer, gave it one of his more vicious reviews too. Let's just say a bunch of us don't agree with the negative critics.

Sarge

I'm leaning towards buying it, to be sure.

[Ken B]

Speaking of the Hurwitzer, what do people think of ClassicsToday reviews in general? I have an opinion but I want to hear what others think before sharing it.

[TheGSMoeller]

Speaking of the Hurwitzer, what do people think of ClassicsToday reviews in general? I have an opinion but I want to hear what others think before sharing it.

Just like with all reviewers/critics, sometimes I agree with them, sometimes I don't. Hurwitz has a way of sounding a bit childish in his negative reviews, but I find most of his 10/10 picks to be spot on.

[Mirror Image]

Speaking of the Hurwitzer, what do people think of ClassicsToday reviews in general? I have an opinion but I want to hear what others think before sharing it.

I think most of the reviews are full of hot air. I prefer reading reviews from MusicWeb.

[Brian]

Speaking of the Hurwitzer, what do people think of ClassicsToday reviews in general? I have an opinion but I want to hear what others think before sharing it.

I agree with Greg. Jed Distler seems to be pretty reliable for piano music, but sometimes very picky. Robert Levine is very smart about opera. David Vernier is my favorite of their reviewers: he's very experienced with choral music, he usually only writes a review if he's heard an album he loves and wants to share his passion for it (I have him to thank for discovering this great album), and that gives the very rare Vernier negative writeups major weight in my book. If Vernier hates a recording, I take heed.

Once you get to know his tastes and prejudices Hurwitz can be very informative. Hurwitz has major problems with the HIP (Historically Informed Performance) movement, he has idiosyncratic ideas about what's required in Mahler, and he will give 10/10 to almost any half-decent post-Mahlerian symphonies that are gigantic and splashy and excessive. When you figure these things out, it's often possible to read a Hurwitz pan and recognize something you'll like, or read him waxing rhapsodic about obscure music and recognizing that the music is actually not that great. (Confusingly, he's also a strong advocate for obscure music that is pretty great; he arranged and performed in the US premiere of George Lloyd's masterful Fifth Symphony.)

EDIT: If I agree with John (MI) that MusicWeb is better, it's only because I've written over 300 reviews for them. 

[Ken B]

I'm more with Brian and MI.
Actually it's the 10/10 reviews from Hurwitz, and his 1/10, that I don't trust. The North Yakima Symphony is better than the Berlin or Concertgebouw? That seems to happen often. And he's way too soft on Naxos.
I generally trust Distler though.
Probably I,ve read som of your MW reviews Brian!