Classic Library - Prokofiev: Romeo & Juliet / Tilson Thomas

$11.99
Label
Sony Masterworks
Release Date
April 20, 2004
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      PROKOFIEV, SERGEI
    • PERFORMER
      Tilson-Thomas, Sfso
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      April 20, 2004
    • UPC
      828765942423
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      82876594242
    • LABEL
      Sony Masterworks
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      1
    • GENRE
      Ballet
    Works ⌄

    1. Act I: Introduction

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    2. Act I: Romeo

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    3. Act I: The Street Wakens

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    4. Act I: The Quarrel

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    5. Act I: The Fight

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    6. Act I: The Duke's Command

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    7. Act I: Interlude

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    8. Act I: Nurse

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    9. Act I: The Young Juliet

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    10. Act I: Arrival of the Guests

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    11. Act I: Dance of the Knights

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    12. Act I: Mercutio

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    13. Act I: Madrigal

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    14. Act I: Gavotte

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    15. Act I: Balcony Scene

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    16. Act III: Introduction

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    17. Act II: Folk Dance

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    18. Act II: Dance with Mandolins

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    19. Act II: Public Merrymaking

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    20. Act II: Meeting of Tybalt and Mercutio

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    21. Act II: The Duel

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    22. Act II: Romeo Decides to Avenge Mercutio

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    23. Act II: Finale: Death of Tybalt

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    24. Act III: Romeo and Juliet

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    25. Act III: Romeo and Juliet at Parting

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    26. Act III: Interlude

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    27. Act III: Juliet Alone

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    28. Act IV: Juliet's Funeral

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas

    29. Act IV: Juliet's Death

      Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

      Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

      Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas



Much heralded as the auspicious beginning of a new--and now defunct--recording contract with RCA, Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony's Romeo & Juliet remains a stunningly good Prokofiev disc. This particular arrangement (compiled by the conductor) follows the sequence of the ballet, providing more narrative continuity than Prokofiev's three suites. Thomas' vibrant and insightful conducting, employing some highly effective and idiosyncratic rubato in many passages, powerfully enhances the drama's ebb and flow. The Balcony scene fairly flows with passion, while light and breezy pacing enlivens the Folk Dance and the Young Juliet. The intense drive of Romeo's Revenge (augmented by bass drum and tambourine at the climax) also rivets the attention.


Underlying all of this is the exceptionally high-caliber playing of the San Francisco Symphony, with its bracing energy, virtuosity, and rhythmic vitality. RCA's warmly spacious, wide-dynamic recording makes a powerful impression (even if it cannot match Telarc's recent SACD version for spatial realism). Considering that Thomas' arrangement contains virtually all the main thematic material from the ballet (minus Prokofiev's many repetitions), for many listeners this hugely enjoyable (and now mid-price) disc will be the one Romeo & Juliet to have and hold. [6/10/2004]
--Victor Carr Jr, ClassicsToday.com