- Orchestra: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
- Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle
- Composer: Sergey Prokofiev
- Audio CD (5 April 1993)
- SPARS Code: DDD
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Import
- Label: EMI
- ASIN: B00000DNRI
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 299,093 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
Jubilee Offer: Patriotic Classics for £2.50 |
Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. Sym No.5 in Bflat, Op.100: I: Andante |
| 2. Sym No.5 in Bflat, Op.100: II: Allegro Marcato |
| 3. Sym No.5 in Bflat, Op.100: III: Adagio |
| 4. Sym No.5 in Bflat, Op.100: IV: Allegro Giocoso |
| 5. Scythian Ste, Op.20: I: The Adoration Of Veles And Ala |
| 6. Scythian Ste, Op.20: II: The Alien God And The Dance Of The Evil Spirits |
| 7. Scythian Ste, Op.20: III: Night |
| 8. Scythian Ste, Op.20: IV: Lolli's March And The Cortege Of The Sun |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Sir Simon Rattle directs one of the very finest Prokofiev Fives of recent years. With the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (not to mention EMI's production-team) on top form, it's a reading of characteristic intelligence and stylish flair, full of stimulating observation and (in the scherzo) cocky mischief. Some may conceivably feel that Rattle's hard-working Birmingham strings lack the last ounce of tonal breadth--in which respect no performance has ever quite matched the glories of Serge Koussevitzky's extraordinary Boston Symphony section on their unforgettably eloquent 1946 recording on RCA Legendary Performers. That comes at mid-price, as do Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic (whose powerful 1968 recording can be found on DG Galleria) and André Previn and the Los Angeles Philharmonic on Philips Solo (both among their respective conductor's finest achievements on disc). Mind you, Rattle has an ace up his sleeve in the form of a spectacularly confident account of Prokofiev's dazzling Scythian Suite. Savage and breathtakingly delicate by turns, it's a precisely the sort of colourful piece designed to show off Rattle's mastery of balance and texture. If you love Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring, make this shattering work your next port of call.--Andrew Achenbach
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1 review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
One of Rattle's better efforts
10 Feb 2006
Format:Audio CD
This listener has been somewhat disappointed with the recent post-City of Birmingham Rattle releases. Rattle tends to seem overly self-concious and mannered now that he's playing in the orchestral big leagues. Yet, with Birmingham, he was already his own big league...the orchestra seems to really love working with him, and responds with a vigor and freshness that should be then envy of almost any orchestra.
This responsiveness makes for a very fine 5th. Rattle also seems more content than perhaps usual (at least lately) to let the music play itself. This is a rhythmically very lively, forward-propelled performance that was mostly quite thrilling to sit through. Rattle dawdles just a little in the middle movements, but he also points some phrases in a way that makes the music a bit new and different. If you love this symphony (and I do), this is a performance of it well worth adding to your collection.
I'm not so fond of the Scythian Suite. I guess it's heresy to say so, but it just seems like Prokofiev's "enfant terrible" response to Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. This performance seems excellent...certainly brash, brassy and percussive. As for me, I got so involved in the 5th that I was happy to stop the CD after it was over.
The sound is very fine.
This responsiveness makes for a very fine 5th. Rattle also seems more content than perhaps usual (at least lately) to let the music play itself. This is a rhythmically very lively, forward-propelled performance that was mostly quite thrilling to sit through. Rattle dawdles just a little in the middle movements, but he also points some phrases in a way that makes the music a bit new and different. If you love this symphony (and I do), this is a performance of it well worth adding to your collection.
I'm not so fond of the Scythian Suite. I guess it's heresy to say so, but it just seems like Prokofiev's "enfant terrible" response to Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. This performance seems excellent...certainly brash, brassy and percussive. As for me, I got so involved in the 5th that I was happy to stop the CD after it was over.
The sound is very fine.
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