COMPOSERS: Prokofiev
LABELS: Sony Digital Club
WORKS: Symphony No. 5 in B flat; Lieutenant Kijé Suite
PERFORMER: Israel PO/Leonard Bernstein, French National Orchestra/Lorin Maazel
CATALOGUE NO: SMK 66933 DDD (1980/85)
Recorded live on tour in Munich in August 1983, Bernstein’s charismatic performance of Prokofiev’s wartime Fifth Symphony is commandingly memorable. Supported by a splendidly unified Israel Philharmonic, he grasps the gravity and sardonic humour of the with an intensity, tension and bravado that are electric. Maazel and his French players offer an attractive, sharply detailed Lieutenant Kijé – without, however, quite Bernstein’s dynamic energy or dramatic edge. The remastering – ‘using’, Sony says, ‘state of the art technology (High Clear Digital) to give... that extra plus’ – is super demonstration quality. The sound is indeed first class. Ates Orga
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 in B flat; Lieutenant Kijé Suite
Recorded live on tour in Munich in August 1983, Bernstein’s charismatic performance of Prokofiev’s wartime Fifth Symphony is commandingly memorable. Supported by a splendidly unified Israel Philharmonic, he grasps the gravity and sardonic humour of the with an intensity, tension and bravado that are electric. Maazel and his French players offer an attractive, sharply detailed Lieutenant Kijé – without, however, quite Bernstein’s dynamic energy or dramatic edge. The remastering – ‘using’, Sony says, ‘state of the art technology (High Clear Digital) to give...
Our rating
5
Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:16 pm