Järvi: Prokofiev – The Complete Symphonies (4 CD, APE)

Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Conductor: Neeme Järvi
Composer: Sergey Prokofiev
Audio CD
SPARS Code: DDD
Number of Discs: 4
Format: APE (tracks)
Label: Chandos
Size: 0.99 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

Disc: 1
01. Symphony No. 1 In D Major Op. 25 ‘Classical’: I. Allegro
02. Symphony No. 1 In D Major Op. 25 ‘Classical’: II. Larghetto
03. Symphony No. 1 In D Major Op. 25 ‘Classical’: III. Gavotte: Non troppo allegro
04. Symphony No. 1 In D Major Op. 25 ‘Classical’: IV. Finale: Molto vivace
05. Symphony No. 4 Op.112: I. Andante-Allegro eroico-Allegretto
06. Symphony No. 4 Op. 112: II. Andante tranquillo
07. Symphony No. 4 Op.112: III. Moderato, quasi allegretto
08. Symphony No.4 Op.112: IV. Allegro risoluto

Disc: 2
01. Symphony No. 3 In C Minor Op.44: I. Moderato
02. Symphony No. 3 In C Minor Op.44: II. Andante
03. Symphony No.3 In C Minor Op.44: III. Allegro agitato
04. Symphony No.3 In C Minor Op.44: IV. Andante mosso – Allegro agitato
05. Symphony No.4 In C Major Op.47: I. Andante assai – Allegro eroico
06. Symphony No.4 In C Major Op.47: II. Andante tranquillo
07. Symphony No.4 In C Major Op.47: III. Moderato, quasi allegretto
08. Symphony No.4 In C Major Op.47: IV. Allegro risoluto

Disc: 3
01. Symphony No. 2 In D Minor Op. 40: I Allegro ben articolato – II Theme and Variations
02. Symphony No. 2 In D Minor Op. 40: Theme
03. Symphony No. 2 In D Minor Op. 40: Variation 1
04. Symphony No. 2 In D Minor Op. 40: Variation 2
05. Symphony No. 2 In D Minor Op. 40: Variation 3
06. Symphony No. 2 In D Minor Op. 40: Variation 4
07. Symphony No. 2 In D Minor Op. 40: Variation 5
08. Symphony No. 2 In D Minor Op. 40: Variation 6 and Theme
09. Symphony No.6 In E Flat Minor Op.111: I Allegro moderato
10. Symphony No.6 In E Flat Minor Op.111: II Largo
11. Symphony No.6 In E Flat Minor Op.111: III Vivace

Disc: 4
01. Symphony No.5 In F Flat Major Op.100: I Andante
02. Symphony No.5 In F Flat Major Op.100: II Allegro marcato
03. Symphony No.5 In F Flat Major Op.100: III Adagio
04. Symphony No.5 In F Flat Major Op.100: IV Allegro giocoso
05. Symphony No.7 In C Sharp Minor Op.131: I Moderato
06. Symphony No.7 In C Sharp Minor Op.131: II Allegretto
07. Symphony No.7 In C Sharp Minor Op.131: III Andante espressivo
08. Symphony No.7 In C Sharp Minor Op.131: IV Vivace

Järvi and Prokofiev

Prokofiev’s orchestrations, like Beethoven’s, are naturally heavy. As a composer known for his precocity, the weight of the orchestration is obviously meant as an in-your-face dare. It is therefore important to exploit this fact as much as possible.

Aided by wonderful technical recording aspects, Järvi’s interpretation of Prokofiev’s symphonies and other symphonic works is unmatched. These recordings with the Scottish National Orchestra contain great acoustic reverberation, ecstatic woodwinds, fiery strings, and blaring brass. If you’re a fan of French Horns especially, then you’ll love these recordings.

Järvi never loses a sense of playfulness. The orchestra stays together quite nicely, and you may actually have to turn the volume down at times! There are certainly other terrific recordings of Prokofiev’s orchestral works. I’m mainly thinking of an old recording of the Fifth I had with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra. But why bother? Your search stops here.