Search - Prokofiev, Ancerl, Czech Philharmonic :: Symphony 1 in D

A powerfully conducted Romeo, and a sparkling Classical

R. J. Claster | Van Nuys, CA United States | 06/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ancerl's early stereo recording of excerpts from Prokofiev's ballet Romeo and Juliet are among the best available. Ancerl imparts added power to the opening Montague and Capulets section (these excerpts are not in the sequence of the two suites, as is the case with other excerpt recordings of this work) by playing it more slowly and emphatically than the norm, thus highlighting the ominousness of its portent of the impending tragedy. Similarly, in his rendition of the final section, that of Romeo at Juliet's tomb, the slow dirgelike way Ancerl performs it effectively underscores the depth and pathos of the lover's sad fate.
On the other hand, his performance of the Classical symphony (this is in mono) has real drive and sparkle, aided and abetted by the vividly pointed sound of the Czech woodwinds.
A very worthwhile purchase."