Search - Sergei Prokofiev, Alexander Glazunov, Evgeni Mravinsky :: Mravinsky Live! Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 in B flat Major, Op. 100 / Glazunov: Symphony No. 5 in B flat Major, Op. 55

Mravinsky's perspective on Prokofiev's and Glazunov's fifths

L. Johan Modée | Earth | 05/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD features two fifths - Glazunov's fifth symphony, op. 55 and Prokofiev's fifth symphony, op. 100. Both were recorded during a single concert in the Grand Hall of Leningrad Philharmonic, in 1968, under Evgeni (Yevgeni) Mravinsky's baton. Sound is mono, contrary to the claim on this CD. But it is a decent mono with perspective, detail and depth. The audience behaves well, fairly unnoticed until the applauses (but there are a few coughs here and there).



The Glazunov symphony, also known as the "Heroic", which is the less known work on this CD, is given a straightforward account in the typical Mravinsky style. It is a quite an attractive piece, and it is probably Glazunov's best symphony. This is the only recording Mravinsky made of it. As such, it is self-recommending, even in comparison with later recordings from Polyanski, Serebrier, Svetlanov and others.



The main attraction, however, is the Prokofiev fifth. Again, this is the only known recording of this work from Mravinsky. It is also featured on another CD: Prokofiev: Symphony No.5/Romeo & Juliet: Suite No.2.



Here competition is harder.



Selected comparisons:



Szell: Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5; Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra.

Rozhdestvensky:Prokofiev: Symphony No.5 / &c. (Rozhdestvensky/Leningrad PO) [BBC Legends].

Järvi: Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5; 3 Waltzes

Tennstedt: Sergej Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5; Symphony No. 7.



We are not short of great Prokofiev fifths. I would say that Szell and/or Rozhdestvensky are the natural first recommendations. Great performances from two great conductors in fine stereo sound. But Järvi and Tennstedt are very fine too, both in excellent sound.



Mravinsky, by contrast, has a harsher sound. And his interpretation of Prokofiev's fifth is, I would say, unmatched. In this recording you will hear an entirely different work than you're used to hear. Of course, it is Prokofiev's fifth, but not "brahmsified" - that is, romanticized and smoothed as in Szell's, Järvi's, Tennstedt's and even Rozhdestvensky's accounts. Mravinsky's stark literalism emphasizes the edges. The crappy instruments of the brass section add to this, even if the playing is marvellous. So in my view this is a unique performance that demands to be heard.



In sum: interesting coupling, great performances. Warmly recommended."

Proglaz

Jordi | Barcelona, Spain | 01/01/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I find this item very interesting, because it has many coincident but contrasting features: two fifth symphonies of very different russian composers with the same tonality and conducted by the best russian maestro of the twentieth century, who in addition was contemporary of both composers."