Classical Music for Aficionados

Sergei Prokofiev

ROMEO AND JULIET

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Sir Georg Solti
Decca 1983

Notes: "The symphony, finished in September 1917, was almost the last work written before Prokofiev left his homeland for the United States in wake of the Russian revolution.  Romeo and Juliet was one of the first works he composed on his return...."

Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet, Op.64   (selections)

Act 1 - 3. The Street Wakens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85WuuP73Czk

Act 1 - 4. Morning Dance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52EXQkJLweA

Act 1 - 13. Dance of the Knights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIUi8gAC-1w

Act 1 - 19/21. Balcony Scene - Romeo's Variation - Love Dance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TSi5u9tFmk

Cheers

Yes, of course, Orpheus is a chamber orchestra. However, in this case……

Note that Prokofiev’s “Classical Symphony” is scored for double winds (two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons), two horns, two trumpets, timpani and strings. They kept the number of strings to a minimum, but otherwise pretty much a full size orchestra by most standards.  

“Romeo and Juliet”. One of my very favorite works and an orchestration tour de force. It features throughout and fairly prominently a tenor saxophone . Unusual for a major orchestral work where typically the use of saxophone, when used at all, is very limited.

An interesting factoid which I think may have significance and goes to the point of your quoted historical “Notes” is the fact Prokofiev borrowed (reused) some of his own music from his “Classical Symphony”for use in the later score of “Romeo”. In a sense, one could say that it ties together the moves from Russia to America and then back to Russia.

Quiz: what is that borrowed music that can be heard in both works? Hint: it is not one of the movements that you posted, but is one of the movements in the link below.

You posted a fine performance, but as far as I’m concerned no one understands this music like the great Russian conductors and great Russian orchestras. This is my favorite recording of “Romeo”:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nbUBb_5tVFMfsoMmxEae3BW1TD3ktdigc

Btw, the link above is highlights from the recording of the complete ballet by Gergiev/Kirov. Couldn’t find the complete on YouTube.

Two conductors with a particular affinity for this magnificent work are Loren Maazel in his fabled recording on Decca and Ashkenazy with his performances on Decca and Exton.

Quiz:

This, 'The Quarrel' seems to sound a lot like Stravinsky's  "A Soldiers Tale."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-ezvwLxXXc&list=OLAK5uy_nbUBb_5tVFMfsoMmxEae3BW1TD3ktdigc&i...

Will listen to the entire thing later this evening.

Cheers

Sergei Prokofiev

VIOLIN CONCERTO

Maxim Vengerov (violin)
London Symphony Orchestra
Mstislav Rostropovich
Teldec  1994

Notes:"When Stalin launched his second major attack against the composers of the Soviet Union in February 1948, two of the nation's most prominent composers were among the main defendants.  One sat in the front row, the other in the last.  In the front row was Sergei Prokofiev.  Way in the back  sat a nervous Dmitri Shostakovich, who left the room every few minutes to smoke a cigarette.  No scene could better characterize the two contemporaries.  The one self-confident, the other apprehensive..."

Prokofiev:  Violin Concerto No.1 in D major Op.19

I Andantino
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jWNWfMzJQY

II Scherzo - Vivacissimo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9uN9IeEifU

III Moderato
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CDIgXyCcR0

Cheers