Search - Prokofiev, Ormandy, Phl :: Symphonies 1 & 5

Good, but not EO's best Prokofiev 5th

John Grabowski | USA | 12/05/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Unfortunately, the best recording Ormandy ever made of the 5th (and indeed one of the very best performances of the work ever made) has never been on CD: the 1977 RCA recording, also with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Ormandy's conception is even more matured by then, the first movement more epic, the scherzo wilder and more snarly, the slow movement hauntingly lyrical and sad. The present recording is better than many out there (so many just amble through the first movement at too brisk a tempo), but he has trouble integrating the second theme of the first movement convincingly, and there are some great climactic moments that here just don't get their due. The PO has their usual sheen, and the miking here is actually a bit more realistic than on that RCA recording (where the cellos sound isolated and small at times), but nothing here can make up for the hair-raising climax to the slow movement in the 1977 reading. And the slow movement climax here is a letdown...the later recording will make your hair stand up on the back of your neck. Memo to RCA: wake up, smell the coffee and rerelease your masterpiece.



The "Classical" Symphony on this disc is a bit puzzling. The second movement, called Larghetto, is taken by Ormandy at a very brisk pace--faster than an Andante--and the lyricism is lost as a result. The Gavotte lacks charm, and the finale isn't as rollicking as I'd like. My favorite "Classical" remains Gennady Rostesdvensky's, who mananges to miraculously capture the spirit of both Haydn *and* Prokofiev in his wonderful performance, which used to be available on Melodiya (haven't checked lately).



(Addendum: the great 1977 Ormandy Prokofiev 5th is now available on CD in a Japanese reissue, but alas not in the USA, not even as an import. So don't even bother looking on Amazon's Japanese site for it. I got mine from HMV's online store in Japan. Since Amazon won't let me post links here, I'll just say Google "hmv.co.jp" to find the site, then search for "Prokofiev 5th Ormandy." The CD version comes pared with a Peter & The Wolf--narrated by David Bowie! Price, including airmail shipping, is 2,400 yen, which comes to 19 bucks and some change...quite reasonable given the circumstances. I ordered mine on a Monday and had it by Friday.)"

What are you waiting for!?

Gregory M. Zinkl | Chicago, IL | 04/26/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ormandy in Prokofiev, with his Philadelphians, offers a thrilling performance of both works. Indeed, the performance of #1 has to be one of the most enjoyable I've ever come across. #5 is no less well done; in fact, it is the primary reason I recommend that you lay down the 7 lousy bucks and treat yourself to some exquisite, exciting, tonally-alluring and virtuosic music-making."

Aggresive "Classical"

Ogawa Katsunari | TLAXCALA, TLAX Mexico | 09/05/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I listened to the "Classical", and I was suprised that such a vivid and aggressive conducting by Eugene Ormandy. I had expected that he was "bargain price (ordinary)" conductor until then. Surely, this is bargain price CD. But You should not make light of his performance as I thought for the first time.Ormandys conducting has fiecely powerful propulsion. Although, the tones are rhythmically and brillantly bouncing. It is completely opposite to one by Charles Dutoit and Montreal Symphony Orchestra that is elegant and well-proportioned. Ormandys "Classical" Symphony is not elegant but satisfactorily excellent performance, certainly. I like his account.But, they(especially,Sympony No,5 ) has a little harmony disturbed in exchange for the powerfulness. Therefore-- I gave 4 stars."