Search - Sergey Prokofiev, Simon Rattle, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra :: Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5; Scythian Suite

One of Rattle's better efforts

E. Weed | Houston, TX | 02/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This listener has been somewhat disappointed with the recent post-City of Birmingham Rattle releases. Rattle tends to seem overly self-concious and mannered now that he's playing in the orchestral big leagues. Yet, with Birmingham, he was already his own big league...the orchestra seems to really love working with him, and responds with a vigor and freshness that should be then envy of almost any orchestra.



This responsiveness makes for a very fine 5th. Rattle also seems more content than perhaps usual (at least lately) to let the music play itself. This is a rhythmically very lively, forward-propelled performance that was mostly quite thrilling to sit through. Rattle dawdles just a little in the middle movements, but he also points some phrases in a way that makes the music a bit new and different. If you love this symphony (and I do), this is a performance of it well worth adding to your collection.



I'm not so fond of the Scythian Suite. I guess it's heresy to say so, but it just seems like Prokofiev's "enfant terrible" response to Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. This performance seems excellent...certainly brash, brassy and percussive. As for me, I got so involved in the 5th that I was happy to stop the CD after it was over.



The sound is very fine."