Choose a Prokofiev Symphony Cyle

[TheGSMoeller]

The North Yakima Symphony is better than the Berlin or Concertgebouw? That seems to happen often. And he's way too soft on Naxos.

Interestingly this is an area I appreciate from Hurwitz, he doesn't always seem to prefer the heavy hitters. The answer to your question is no, Berlin is better, but there are many times where the North Yakima Symphony might perform better. Growing up with musicians and having the ability to listen to lesser known orchestras I've realized that there is talent at all levels, and I like that Hurwitz recognizes this. I've heard the San Antonio Symphony multiple times in 2007 and several of those concerts sounded better than some of the Philadelphia and NYPhil concerts I attended.

[Karl Henning]

I have trouble thinking the doughty North Yakima crew are out-playing the Berliners in Prokofiev here, though

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Interestingly this is an area I appreciate from Hurwitz, he doesn't always seem to prefer the heavy hitters. The answer to your question is no, Berlin is better, but there are many times where the North Yakima Symphony might perform better.

Yes indeed. Note how BIS, for instance, is able to get great work out of no-name Scandinavian orchestras.

And on topic, I voted for Weller. I don't actually regard Prokofiev all that highly as a symphonist. So this cheap, well-done, good-sounding set does the job for me on the rare occasions I want to hear his symphonies.

[Brian]

Yes indeed. Note how BIS, for instance, is able to get great work out of no-name Scandinavian orchestras.

No kidding. I'm continually awestruck that even freaking Lapland has great chamber orchestras. (Check out the Arctic Philharmonic's virtuosic Tchaikovsky.) And Hurwitz was very quick to recognize the ongoing greatness that is the Pittsburgh Symphony. I still see where the critique comes from - but just about every reviewer suffers from the fallacy, "This composer/piece is little-known and I haven't heard (m)any other recordings; therefore this performance by the North Yakima Symphony is superb!"

[Ken B]

And on topic, I voted for Weller. I don't actually regard Prokofiev all that highly as a symphonist. So this cheap, well-done, good-sounding set does the job for me on the rare occasions I want to hear his symphonies.

With just one and five
One can survive

[Karl Henning]

With just one and five
One can survive

Even allowing for our difference of opinion on the merits of the Op.40 . . . and even if you align with the traditional dismissal of the Op.131 . . . can you be unfeeling of the powers of the Op.111? 

[Ken B]

Even allowing for our difference of opinion on the merits of the Op.40 . . . and even if you align with the traditional dismissal of the Op.131 . . . can you be unfeeling of the powers of the Op.111? 

I freely concede 111 is three times the symphony 40 is.

[Brian]

With just one and five
One can survive

Seven with original ending! In the long run it might end up being my favorite of the cycle (currently #1).

[vandermolen]

I rather liked the old Martinon cycle on Vox/Turnabout (not on list). Certainly I rated  his Symphony No 6 very highly. For No 5 Rozhdestvensky is my favourite.

[Karl Henning]

Seven with original ending! In the long run it might end up being my favorite of the cycle (currently #1).

Indeed!

[not edward]

Seven with original ending! In the long run it might end up being my favorite of the cycle (currently #1).

I wish I'd been that perceptive when I was younger... it took me over a decade to recognize its qualities, particularly the staggering disconnect between what it says and what it means (no wonder Shostakovich liked the work).

It's interesting that there's very few conventional happy endings in Prokofiev's symphonies: the 5th's coda undercuts the whole heroic narrative he's set up over the previous 40 minutes, the 2nd is emotionally ambivalent the whole way through, and the 3rd and 6th end in outright catastrophe. Yet the 7th might have the bleakest ending of them all.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

With just one and five
One can survive

I get my kicks
from Five and Six 

[Ken B]

I get my kicks
from Five and Six 

If orchestral bliss you would know
To the concerti you must go.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

If orchestral bliss you would know
To the concerti you must go.

Let's not forget that ol' Sergei
Did some great things in ballet.

[Brian]

Let's not forget that ol' Sergei
Did some great things in ballet.

Indeed; my affection for the fella
Increased upon hearing "Cinderella"

[Ken B]

Don't snicker and haw-hee so
I like Stone Flower, with Varviso
Three oranges I have love for yet,
But prefer Romeo and Juliet.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I rather liked the old Martinon cycle on Vox/Turnabout (not on list).

I haven't heard Martinon's Vox recordings but I really enjoy his earlier 5 & 7 on Testament (w/ the Paris Conservatory Orchestra).




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Now back to the Haiku...

[Karl Henning]

No more rhymes, I mean it!

— Does anyone want a peanut?

[amw]

can you be unfeeling of the powers of the Op.111? 

The Sixth is not bad
But the slow movement's boring
Refrigerator

I only have Naxos and Järvi, slightly prefer the former.

[Sergeant Rock]

No more rhymes, I mean it!

You've been challenged, Karl; to wit:

The Sixth is not bad
But the slow movement's boring
Refrigerator

What a profound haiku...so deep I cannot fathom it 

Sarge