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Review
For a work regarded as one of the great ballets some would say the greatest there are surprisingly few complete recordings of Prokofiev s Romeo and Juliet. As with any ballet, it loses much when the music is divorced from the dance. Nonetheless, Prokofiev s remarkable range of orchestral invention is on show as virtually nowhere else, as is his rich eclecticism. Yes, it is long, but there are very few longueurs, especially when performed like this, with the London Symphony Orchestra on top form and the frisson of live performance captured in SACD surround sound. Few can rival Valery Gergiev s pedigree in Prokofiev s music, and he is palpably aware of how this score works in the theatre. His pacing of events is masterly, with plenty of verve and passion, such as when Tybalt recognises Romeo, but this is never over-driven. Gergiev is adroit at capturing the fluctuating moods, not just in the confrontational or love scenes, but also in more elusive vignettes, such as the palpable excitement as the nurse scurries furtively to deliver Juliet s letter to Romeo. As a consequence, it is all the more powerful when this music returns, only to turn sour, as Juliet refuses Paris s marriage proposal. There are also some revelations. The Dance with Mandolins , which can have an element of mania, has a playful charm, with the clarinet enjoying weaving around the cheeky and colourful brass. Indeed there is much that is relaxed about this reading, yet, even amid the bombast of the Dance of the Knights , the music always flows. What really impresses, though, is the tenderness and poetry that are so often overlooked in Prokofiev, and not just in the love music. Gergiev frequently lets the strings and solo woodwind linger in a beguiling, natural rubato, whilst maintaining an architectural grasp of the tragic whole. The shaping of the Epilogue wrings the heart, with the LSO exhibiting exceptional control. Strongly recommended. Christopher Dingle --http://www.classical-music.com/review/prokofiev-romeo-and-juliet-4
Essential Work --BBC Music Magazine
Essential Work --BBC Music Magazine
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
You'd really expect Valery Gergiev to be able to give a special account of Romeo and Juliet, but this is thrilling edge-of-the-seat stuff. The standard of musicianship in every single section of the LSO is exceptional. The fight at the end of Act 2 in particular is one of the most exciting and things I have ever heard - it really makes me wish I could play the trumpet. Typically excellent sound from producer James Mallinson.
18 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Composing music for ballet often seems to bring out the best in composers, especially Prokofiev. His symphonies and operas are rewarding but require serious listening. Romeo and Juliet however is a work of creative genius, packed with some of the most recognisable and appealing music ever written for orchestra. Every time you hear it, you come across a new detail or melody. Perhaps it is down to the subject, one of Shakespeare's simplest yet most emotive storylines. Whereas most composers have struggled to adapt the bard's works for opera, Prokofiev revels in composing music for dancers.
Not that you can imagine many ballet dancers being happy to perform with Valery Gergiev conducting a performance like this. In places it is too fast for dancing, in others too slow, but it is all the better for it! With a performance like this, you don't need people on stage to tell the story. I doubt whether I would cry at the tragic ending if I were watching the ballet in a theatre, but I felt tears welling up in my eyes listening to this.
I own two other versions (Previn and Maazel) but both are old and whilst good performances, I've no need for them now. This album makes both sound lifeless and sonically it is far superior, crucially with a much wider dynamic range.
If anybody thinks classical music is boring, I would strongly urge them to listen to this recording. Valery Gergiev may be crazy, but he's a crazy genius.
Not that you can imagine many ballet dancers being happy to perform with Valery Gergiev conducting a performance like this. In places it is too fast for dancing, in others too slow, but it is all the better for it! With a performance like this, you don't need people on stage to tell the story. I doubt whether I would cry at the tragic ending if I were watching the ballet in a theatre, but I felt tears welling up in my eyes listening to this.
I own two other versions (Previn and Maazel) but both are old and whilst good performances, I've no need for them now. This album makes both sound lifeless and sonically it is far superior, crucially with a much wider dynamic range.
If anybody thinks classical music is boring, I would strongly urge them to listen to this recording. Valery Gergiev may be crazy, but he's a crazy genius.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This ticks all the boxes of an excellent recording. The sound is fabulous, and the variety in timbre is exquisite. The dynamic spectrum is broad and I find the articulation delightful in its accuracy and attention to detail. Romeo & Juliet in particular is a great title for someone looking for an introduction to classical ballet music. It is instantly appealing and memorable and also of the highest standard played by what must be the greatest orchestra in the world, the LSO, led by the greatest and ever charismatic conductor, Valery Gergiev. This recording welcomes you into Prokofiev's rich, vibrant and unique sound world. From start to finish this is a winning production.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
thanks for that
Thank you a good item and a the right price and a verey good service verey pleased with item i would use this site again for CDs and enyoied the music on it
Published 28 days ago by Dave
Horrible
it is the worst Romeo and Juliet i have ever hear. I don,t understand why it has the disc of the year.
Perhaps, only Marketing.
Perhaps, only Marketing.
Published 7 months ago by Fernando Pérez Mas
Fantastic
I bought this recording for my sister as a birthday present and she was absolutely thrilled with it. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Janesg
Outstanding
Superlatives everywhere. Prokoviev's complete ballet score, the LSO under Gergiev coupled with superb recording quality. Read more
Published 12 months ago by J. V. Goodman
Passion and Power
A real opportunity to hear the LSO in full voice under Gergiev - I'd seen the Youtube footage with LSO excerpts before I bought the recording and while you lose the images of... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Horatio Hornblower
Fantastic recording - full of energy and power
This is Gergiev in his element - you can practically feel the passion burst through the speakers. A must-have recording of this exquisite work.
Published 14 months ago by tmoklc
Wow!
What a fabulous recording! Full of energy, gusto and passion. Dance of the Knights is exceptional. Listen to that brass! And those screaming strings, utterly thrilling! Read more
Published 14 months ago by musiclover
Valery Gergiev defeated by Valery Gergiev
Valery Gergiev returned after twenty years to re-record Sergei Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet". His first attempt with the Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre remains one of the best... Read more
Published on 17 April 2010 by Marc Haegeman
Dreadful sound
I was present at the concerts at the Barbican from which this recording was taken. The sound in the hall was lush, rich and full of impact. Read more
Published on 2 April 2010 by Eric Shanes
Thanks, Beeb
Bought this following a five star review from BBC Music Magazine, having previously only had some highlights. Rich sound; beautiful music, well played. Strongly recommended.
Published on 25 Mar 2010 by George Gibson
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