Search - Sergey Prokofiev, Andrew Mogrelia, National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine :: Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet (Complete Ballet in Four Acts)

A pretty good performance but there's better for the same $

Ray Barnes | Surrey, British Columbia Canada | 09/02/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This budget-priced Naxos release, while being enjoyable in its own way, does not quite measure up to the excellence of some of its competitors - specifically Previn and Maazel - for about the same money. The orchestral playing is fine but does not have the sumptuous tone of its finest rivals; Andrew Mogrelia's tempi are a bit slow and there are some odd sudden changes in tempo and dynamic in individual numbers. For instance, a ratellando is taken in the very opening chord. The documentation is not very thorough or detailed. The 2 CDs are well cued, but no tracking synopsis is provided. The digital recording is very good. This Ukrainian ensemble has had a long and distinguished tradition with Prokofiev, and those who prefer a taut lean sound might find this ideal. I suspect most potential buyers will enjoy this as a supplementary performance. Recommended."

A Romeo and Juliet that really dances--and a super bargain

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 10/06/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Naxos has brought to light quite a few talented and relatively unknown conductors. The brights lights include Andrew Mogrelia, a British conductor now heading the San Francisco ballet. Maxos assigns him to romatnic ballet music from Delibers and Tchaikovsky to Prokofieve. His Romeo and Juliet keeps to the very high standards of his prevoius work, and he shows the deft, light hand of a ballet conductor throughout.



Other reviewers have complained about hte orchestra and the sonics. The recording was made in a hall with noticeable reverb, but it isn't at all intrusive. The orchestra is a good, second-tier one, the Ukraine National Symphony. It is a bit smaller than the major players, like the Berlin Phil. and Cleveland Orch., that also appear on budget sets. Personally, I like the feeling of a smaller pit ensemble, even with all the rough edges. For once, this music isns't inflated into a blockbuster, and Mogrelia's dance experience, like Dorati's on Mercury, is unique in this work.



"

A fair performance, but...

Santa Fe Listener | 02/09/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Andrew Mogrelia has given us some pretty good ballet recordings in the past, most notably his near-perfect performance of Tchaikovsky's "The Sleeping Beauty". However, for this recording he has at his disposal an orchestra which sounds something like a chamber group, needing far more strings than it obviously has. There are moments of great impact, especially in "Romeo decides to avenge Mercutio" (CD 2, track 14), but the "Love Dance" (CD 1, track 21) needs more sweeping romance, which the lack of violins makes painfully clear. But the big story here is the ample sound - large and cavernous. Perhaps it was felt, during the recording sessions, that the smallish size of the orchestra (and any lack of discipline) would be disguised by such reverberance. Choice, therefore, for a great recording of "Romeo and Juliet" lies with Andre Previn (for Tchaikovskian flair), Lorin Maazel (for blazing intensity), and Vladimir Ashkenazy (for great digital sound). And all three are mid-priced, just a couple of bucks more than this issue."