Symphony no 4 in C major, Op. 47: 1st movement, Andante assai-Allegro eroico
Symphony no 4 in C major, Op. 47: 2nd movement, Andante tranquillo
Symphony no 4 in C major, Op. 47: 3rd movement, Moderato, quasi allegretto
Symphony no 4 in C major, Op. 47: 4th movement, Allegro risoluto
Symphony no 4 in C major, Op. 112: 1st movement, Andante-Allegro eroico
Symphony no 4 in C major, Op. 112: 2nd movement, Andante tranquillo
Symphony no 4 in C major, Op. 112: 3rd movement, Moderato, quasi allegretto
Symphony no 4 in C major, Op. 112: 4th movement, Allegro risoluto
Track Listings (7) - Disc #2
Symphony no 6 in E flat minor, Op. 111: 1st movement, Allegro moderato
Symphony no 6 in E flat minor, Op. 111: 2nd movement, Largo
Symphony no 6 in E flat minor, Op. 111: 3rd movement, Vivace
Symphony no 1 in D major, Op. 25 'Classical': 1st movement, Allegro
Symphony no 1 in D major, Op. 25 'Classical': 2nd movement, Larghetto
Symphony no 1 in D major, Op. 25 'Classical': 3rd movement, Gavotte
Symphony no 1 in D major, Op. 25 'Classical': 4th movement, Molto vivace
Track Listings (6) - Disc #3
Symphony no 2 in D minor, Op. 40: 1st movement, Allegro ben articolato
Symphony no 2 in D minor, Op. 40: 2nd movement, Theme and Variations
Symphony no 3 in C minor, Op. 44: 1st movement, Moderato
Symphony no 3 in C minor, Op. 44: 2nd movement, Andante
Symphony no 3 in C minor, Op. 44: 3rd movement, Allegro agitato
Symphony no 3 in C minor, Op. 44: 4th movement, Andante mosso-Allegro agitato
Track Listings (8) - Disc #4
Symphony no 7 in C sharp minor, Op. 131: 1st movement, Moderato
Symphony no 7 in C sharp minor, Op. 131: 2nd movement, Allegretto
Symphony no 7 in C sharp minor, Op. 131: 3rd movement, Andante espressivo
Symphony no 7 in C sharp minor, Op. 131: 4th movement, Vivace
Symphony no 5 in B flat major, Op. 100: 1st movement, Andante
Symphony no 5 in B flat major, Op. 100: 2nd movement, Allegro marcato
Symphony no 5 in B flat major, Op. 100: 3rd movement, Adagio
Symphony no 5 in B flat major, Op. 100: 4th movement, Allegro giocoso
Born in 1891 in Sontsovka, Ukraine, Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev is considered one of the greatest — composers of the twentieth century. He was also an accomplished pianist and conductor. Like other — great composers he mast... more »ered a wide range of musical genres, including symphonies, concerti, film music,
operas, ballets, and program pieces. During his lifetime, his works were considered both ultra-modern
and innovative. They are often violent, always lyrical and usually full of whimsical fantasy singularly
reflecting the real world.
In this set of complete symphonies, Rostropovich brings an intimate knowledge of both the composer
Born in 1891 in Sontsovka, Ukraine, Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev is considered one of the greatest
composers of the twentieth century. He was also an accomplished pianist and conductor. Like other
great composers he mastered a wide range of musical genres, including symphonies, concerti, film music,
operas, ballets, and program pieces. During his lifetime, his works were considered both ultra-modern
and innovative. They are often violent, always lyrical and usually full of whimsical fantasy singularly
reflecting the real world.
In this set of complete symphonies, Rostropovich brings an intimate knowledge of both the composer
and his works
CD Reviews
Wonderful
David Saemann | 06/11/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I never have understood the critical disdain for this set. Maybe conducting was Rostropovich's second career, or even third if you count his piano accompaniments for his wife. Nevertheless, he could be a very persuasive conductor. As I recall from a N.Y. Philharmonic concert in 1980, string players loved to play for him. They treated him as though he were Heifetz turned conductor, which in a sense he was. What's more, he was the last conductor to have a direct relationship with Prokofiev. Thus these readings have great authority. In No. 1, Rostropovich fashions a highly elegant, Russian sounding reading, on the slow side. His 2nd is highly convincing, showing a coherence rare in interpretations of this work. Of the two versions of No. 4, I prefer Rostropovich's account of the 1930 version, which holds together deftly. For the latter version and the 6th, I prefer Ormandy's LPs, which I don't think ever have been released on CD. Nevertheless, Rostropovich is very good here and doesn't suffer much by comparison. His Fifth is big and brawny, a moving account. And the 7th reveals how Prokofiev could adhere to the strictures of Socialist Realism while still remaining true to his emotional core. The sound engineering throughout the set is excellent, with slightly less presence in the 5th, which is the earliest recording. The Orchestra National plays with gorgeous string tone, as you would expect, but also much sensitivity from the first chairs. This set is one of Rostropovich's musical testaments, as much as his recordings as a cellist."
Five Stars For The Money
Dmitri | Florida - Paradise | 06/01/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"You might find other sets of Prokofiev's symphonies like Jarvi's for more money that might edge out this set, but for the money it really can't be beat. The French National Orchestra which is not world renowned is good because I believe Rostropovich is good. It is the Leopold Stokowski effect where Stokowski used to conduct many different orchestras, but always have that "sound." Anyone who is considering the Ozawa/Berlin PO version of Prokofiev symphonies should seriously consider this set to be superior in interpretation and almost a match in execution of the orchestral parts. Rostropovich's temperment in the symphonies is much more even and steady than Jarvi's. In a sense I am about to contradict myself by saying you wouldn't be sorry if this was the last set of Prokofiev symphonies that you've ever collected. I believe that it is that good. Therefore a five star recommendation."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1