Post by: Malx on January 01, 2018, 08:21:25 AM
I am looking to add a set of Prokofiev Symphonies to my collection, I currently have the Weller on Decca and would like an alternative take on what is for me a relatively unknown body of work.
Thanks in anticipation.
Post by: Daverz on January 01, 2018, 09:07:37 AM
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2014/Oct14/Prokofiev_sys_MELCD10011797.htm
I think Litton on Bis is probably the best of recent cycles. I liked the Karabits cycle, but that got mixed reviews.
I'd also like to single out this Ashkenazy set for praise:
Post by: Turner on January 01, 2018, 09:23:59 AM
Post by: Jo498 on January 01, 2018, 09:26:16 AM
Post by: k a rl h e nn i ng on January 01, 2018, 09:29:32 AM
I have a patchwork set with several recordings of 1 and 5, the Ashkenazy twofer shown above, the cheap "white" Sony box with Leinsdorf (2,3,5,6) and Rozhdestvensky in 1-4 (on an older BMG twofer). The last one is quite "intense" and rough but would probably be a good complement to Weller's.
The Leinsdorf/BSO box is very nice; I second this 8)
Post by: Mirror Image on January 01, 2018, 09:55:47 AM
Post by: relm1 on January 01, 2018, 05:41:10 PM
Post by: amw on January 01, 2018, 05:53:18 PM
Post by: GioCar on January 01, 2018, 11:41:47 PM
- the inclusion of both versions of the fourth;
- the terrific performances of the second and the seventh.
Post by: Turner on January 01, 2018, 11:55:57 PM
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2009/Jan09/Prokofiev_symphonies_CHAN10500x.htm
Post by: Kontrapunctus on January 02, 2018, 10:11:21 AM
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51kQqxDGVpL.jpg)
Post by: vandermolen on January 04, 2018, 01:14:31 AM
Post by: TheGSMoeller on January 04, 2018, 05:47:12 AM
The Ozawa/Berliner box was my second set (my first was the Järvi, which I wound up returning to circulation) and it remains largely my favorite set.
The Leinsdorf/BSO box is very nice; I second this 8)
I'd go for the Gergiev/LSO set, mainly for two reasons:
- the inclusion of both versions of the fourth;
- the terrific performances of the second and the seventh.
I'll let these two do the talkin (typin). 8)
Post by: k a rl h e nn i ng on January 04, 2018, 05:52:10 AM
Post by: Malx on January 06, 2018, 02:16:49 PM
This may be hard to believe but I had completely forgot that I had the Jarvi box it was for some reason filed in completely the wrong area of my collection, slightly scary!
I have sampled all the suggested sets I could and I am thinking about Gergiev to give a Russian perspective on the symphonies but I am also drawn to Rozhdestvensky, poorer sound and all there seems to be a bit of soul, if that is the right description, in the samples I listened to.
Thanks again,
Malx.
Post by: Daverz on January 07, 2018, 04:06:06 PM
Post by: Leo K. on October 26, 2020, 07:13:10 AM
I'm now going through the Kitayenko/Gurzenich-Orchester Koln box and have gone through symphonies 1-4. A great journey, I'm totally new to Prokofiev. I've decided this was the year to finally explore Sibelius, Nielsen, Prokofiev, Shostakovich and Myaskovsky. Aces!
Post by: k a rl h e nn i ng on October 26, 2020, 09:57:48 AM
I was not prepared to be destroyed on hearing Prokofiev's Symphony No.7 for the first time (Kitayenko/Gurzenich-Orchester Koln). Wow, simply wow.
I'm now going through the Kitayenko/Gurzenich-Orchester Koln box and have gone through symphonies 1-4. A great journey, I'm totally new to Prokofiev. I've decided this was the year to finally explore Sibelius, Nielsen, Prokofiev, Shostakovich and Myaskovsky. Aces!
Excellent!
Post by: relm1 on October 26, 2020, 03:57:07 PM
The Ozawa/Berliner box was my second set (my first was the Järvi, which I wound up returning to circulation) and it remains largely my favorite set.
The Leinsdorf/BSO box is very nice; I second this 8)
Did Dutoit/Montreal make a set? His 1 and 5 are fantastic as is all his other Prokofiev but I'm not aware if they went beyond 1 and 5.
Post by: Leo K. on October 29, 2020, 08:40:28 AM
I also listened to Ashkenazy in these performances and they kind of do a better job! I now have the Ozawa set and can't wait to get into that. Aces!
Post by: k a rl h e nn i ng on October 29, 2020, 09:51:49 AM
Post by: Daverz on October 29, 2020, 06:16:43 PM
Prokofiev's Symphonies 5 and 6 (Kitayenko/Gurzenich-Orchester Koln) are so incredible I'm at a loss of words!
I also listened to Ashkenazy in these performances and they kind of do a better job! I now have the Ozawa set and can't wait to get into that. Aces!
Yes, Ashkenazy did one of the best recordings of 6 with the Cleveland Orchestra.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/418LGtKLWsL.jpg)
Post by: Leo K. on November 02, 2020, 07:34:40 AM
Post by: k a rl h e nn i ng on November 02, 2020, 09:34:59 AM
Post by: relm1 on November 02, 2020, 05:08:54 PM
The Fifth & Sixth are stone-cold classics. I'm also a huge fan of the Second.
They are all fantastic. I love them all. Even both the 4ths. But I insist on the original 7th ending.
Post by: k a rl h e nn i ng on November 02, 2020, 05:28:43 PM
They are all fantastic. I love them all. Even both the 4ths. But I insist on the original 7th ending.
+1
Post by: Herman on November 04, 2020, 04:55:49 AM
The Fifth & Sixth are stone-cold classics. I'm also a huge fan of the Second.
You forgot nr 1.
Post by: k a rl h e nn i ng on November 04, 2020, 08:41:03 AM