Prokofiev: Symphony No. 5 in B flat; Lieutenant Kijé Suite
20 January 2012 - 4:16pm
Composer(s):
Prokofiev
Works:
Symphony No. 5 in B flat; Lieutenant Kijé Suite
Performer:
Israel PO/Leonard Bernstein, French National Orchestra/Lorin Maazel
Label:
Sony Digital Club
Catalogue Number:
SMK 66933 DDD (1980/85)
Performance:
Sound:
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
