Prokofiev's Paddy Wagon

[Mirror Image]

I may have to check those out. Kuchar really impresses me. I  think his set of Shostakovich Jazz and Ballet Suites is even better than Chailly's.

Sarge

Wow, better than the Chailly? They must be good.

[Mirror Image]

I like both Maazel and Ashkenazy (as I wrote elsewhere). Romeo and Juliet is very lucky on disc.

I'm not too fond of Maazel. I like Ozawa's BSO recording a lot. It's probably my current favorite. Both of Gergiev's aren't my cup of tea. I'm anxious to hear the Ashkenazy.

[Karl Henning]

Whichever of the Gergiev recordings I heard, I found it a little too annoying, a little too often.

[Mirror Image]

Whichever of the Gergiev recordings I heard, I found it a little too annoying, a little too often.

My problem with the new Gergiev LSO Live recording is he's just a speed demon. He's waving his little hands about like some crazed monkey (no offense Greg ). Gergiev's main problem, IMHO, is he's just got way too many obligations and he doesn't seem like he has much time to focus on the music.

[Sergeant Rock]

I am glad to know your thoughts here. Fact is, Kuchar has suffered in my view from paulb's enthusiasm ; )

Well, now that paulb is no longer with us, someone has to fill his shoes. Pettersson, Kuchar...yeah, I can handle the assignment 

Sarge

[Karl Henning]

Well, but, drat it, you make Kuchar sound worth listening to! You're letting down the legacy! ; )

[Sergeant Rock]

Wow, better than the Chailly? They must be good.

I think so...of course, YMMV.

Sarge

[Karl Henning]

Well, now that paulb is no longer with us, someone has to fill his shoes. Pettersson, Kuchar...yeah, I can handle the assignment 

Sarge

In honor of paulb . . . I believe I'll go listen to some clips, now . . . .

[TheGSMoeller]

My problem with the new Gergiev LSO Live recording is he's just a speed demon. He's waving his little hands about like some crazed monkey (no offense Greg ). Gergiev's main problem, IMHO, is he's just got way too many obligations and he doesn't seem like he has much time to focus on the music.

Gergiev's performances are inconsistent, I'll agree, and he seems to prefer faster tempi, but he does add enough excitement in his interpretations to spark my interest.

[Sergeant Rock]

In honor of paulb . . . I believe I'll go listen to some clips, now . . . .

....just be sure to make up your mind within the first 5 seconds 

Sarge

[madaboutmahler]

So, has no one heard the Solti selections cd? I am certainly very interested in it....

[TheGSMoeller]

So, has no one heard the Solti selections cd? I am certainly very interested in it....

If we are still referring to R&J selections, I have not.
But I do enjoy Dutoit's (a rare Dutoit recommendation) and MTT's R&J selections recordings.

[madaboutmahler]

If we are still referring to R&J selections, I have not.
But I do enjoy Dutoit's (a rare Dutoit recommendation) and MTT's R&J selections recordings.

Thank you for the feedback, Greg. Instantly interested in both the Dutoit and MTT now!

[madaboutmahler]

Looking at the MTT now... looks great, but hold on... does it not have 'Juliet's Death'? My favourite part!

[TheGSMoeller]

Looking at the MTT now... looks great, but hold on... does it not have 'Juliet's Death'? My favourite part!

With the SFS it does, last track, "mort de Juliette".

[madaboutmahler]

With the SFS it does, last track, "mort de Juliette".

Thank goodness.... Thank you Greg.

[TheGSMoeller]

Thank goodness.... Thank you Greg.

You're welcome. I don't think you could get away with leaving that track out, whether complete or selections, it brings it all to such a satisfying conclusion.

[madaboutmahler]

You're welcome. I don't think you could get away with leaving that track out, whether complete or selections, it brings it all to such a satisfying conclusion.

Yes... and to me, 'Juliet's Death' is some of the most beautiful music ever written. So subtle and heavenly! When the C Major sounds through the orchestra with Juliet's theme soaring through, I always start to weep.... so so so beautiful!  0:)

[Lisztianwagner]

Quite attractive thread....

I've always found Prokofiev's works absolutely stunning since I heard Lieutenant Kijé's Troika in Woody Allen's Love and Death.
Prokofiev's music is incredibly passionate, expressive and thrilling, and moreover definitely involving; it shows a tonality taken to extremes and often sudden, powerful modulations which don't change the sound brilliance though, on the contrary creating gorgeous and overwhelming movements of beautiful tones. I absolutely love it!
Some of my favourite Prokofiev's pieces are symphonies No.4, No.7 and No.7, the Piano Concertos, Scythian Suite, Lieutenant Kijé Suite, the Violin Concertos and Romeo & Juliet (this last one is also one of my favourite pieces of all time).

[madaboutmahler]

Romeo & Juliet (this last one is also one of my favourite pieces of all time).

One of mine too, as you know Ilaria!
Wonderful description.