Prokofiev - The 7 Symphonies; Lieutenant Kije

Sergei Prokofiev

7 Symphonies & Lieutenant Kije

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Seiji Ozawa

Track Listing - Disc 1

Symphony No. 1 in D major ("Classical"), Op. 25

1

Allegro Con Brio

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

4:59

2

Larghetto

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

4:57

3

Gavotte. Non troppo Allegro

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

1:47

4

Finale. Molto Vivace

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

4:23

Symphony No. 6 in E flat minor, Op. 111

5

1. Allegro moderato

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

15:21

6

2. Largo

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

14:35

7

3. Vivace

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

12:16

Track Listing - Disc 2

Symphony No. 2 in D minor, Op. 40

1

1. Allegro ben articolato

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

12:10

2

2. Theme with variations

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

24:59

Symphony No. 7 in C sharp minor, Op. 131

3

1. Moderato

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

9:52

4

2. Allegreto-Allegro

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

7:58

5

3. Andante espressivo

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

5:48

6

4. Vivace-Moderato marcato

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

9:00

Track Listing - Disc 3

Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 44

1

1. Moderato

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

13:27

2

2. Andante

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

6:55

3

3. Allegro agitato

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

8:25

4

4. Andante mosso - Allegro agitato

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

6:46

Symphony No. 4 in C major, Op. 112 (second version)

5

1. Andante-Allegro eroico-Allegretto

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

14:31

6

2. Andante tranquillo

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

9:42

7

3. Moderato, quasi allegretto

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

8:01

8

4. Allegro risoluto

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

10:38

Track Listing - Disc 4

Symphony No. 5 in B flat major, Op. 100

1

Andante

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

11:51

2

Allegro Marcato

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

8:50

3

Adagio

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

11:13

4

Allegro Giocoso

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

9:59

Lieutenant Kijé, film score and suite for orchestra, Op. 60

5

No. 1, "Birth of Kije"

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

4:08

6

No. 2, "Romance"

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

3:49

7

No. 3, "Kije's Wedding"

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

2:44

8

No. 4, "Troika"

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

3:00

9

No. 5, "Burial of Kije"

Sergey Prokofiev

Seiji Ozawa

6:05

Prokofiev was not known mainly as a symphonist, but listening to the Berlin Philharmonic play the entire cycle convinces me that he has not been properly appreciated. The First is of course the most often played, and while a charming pastiche, was merely a youthful warm-up for the works that were to follow. I find the Second to be incredible, a modernist masterpiece. Prokofiev moved toward a more lyrical, romantic style as he matured, but the Second Symphony is one of the great achievements of his earlier period.

The Third and Fourth both developed from staged works: the opera "The Fiery Angel" and the ballet "The Prodigal Son." They are the least successful as symphonies, it seems to me, but are still tremendously enjoyable, especially as played by the BPO. The Fifth and Sixth are generally seen to be Prokofiev's best symphonies, especially the Sixth. I can see why, though if I had to choose two, I would say the Second and Sixth. The Sixth got Prokofiev in trouble, denounced for "formalism," and the Seventh was part of his rehabilitation. It is a lovely piece, but lacking the depth and innovation of earlier works.

This set is magnificent on every level, from performance, to Ozawa's conducting, to DG's beautiful package. The cover photo of steel girders captures the hackneyed notion of "the Soviet composer," and is really only appropriate for the steely constructivism of the Second Symphony, but excellent design nonetheless. There are no plastic jewelcases -- each disc comes in its own sleeve, like a vinyl LP, resting in a box along with the informative booklet. This is a package that this splendid music deserves.

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I have no idea why Ozawa had been criticised as one of those "faceless conductors" with no real viewpoint of their own. Nothing could be further than the truth! His understanding of these symphonies is beyond reproach. The performances are breathtaking, especially 2,4,6 and 7. The only weak spot I can think of is that the first two movements of the classical symphony are taken a little too slowly for most people's tastes (although this doesn't bother me at all). In my opinion this takes away from the pastiche element of the work, rendering it just another piece of "old sounding" classical music. But overall this is an amazing set of CDs. The Lt. Kije merits no interest, as Abbado did the best version with the LSO (sans lyrics though). The bottom line: great sound, stunning performance from an ensemble that many claim to be the world's greatest orchestra (Berlin Philharmonic) and excellent digital sound that will blow you away, especially on symphony 2 (in my opinion Prokofiev's very best). Just wish the set also included the original version of number 4. However, the revised version is better anyway, so why am I complaining?

Buy this set and enjoy! Prokofiev truly is the master!!