MTT - Michael Tilson Thomas - Prokofiev: Romeo & Juliet

$17.99

Label: RCA
Release Date: December 17, 2009

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Featuring ⌄

COMPOSER

PROKOFIEV, SERGEI
ORCHESTRA / ENSEMBLE

San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
PERFORMER

Michael Tilson, Thomas

Product Details ⌄

RELEASE DATE

December 17, 2009
UPC

090266828821
CATALOG NUMBER

RCA68288
LABEL

RCA
NUMBER OF DISCS

1
GENRE

Ballet

Works ⌄

Act I: Introduction

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act I: Romeo

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act I: The Street Wakens

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act I: The Quarrel

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act I: The Fight

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act I: The Duke's Command

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act I: Interlude

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act I: Nurse

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act I: The Young Juliet

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act I: Arrival of the Guests

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act I: Dance of the Knights

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act I: Mercutio

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act I: Madrigal

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act I: Gavotte

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act I: Balcony Scene

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act III: Introduction

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act II: Folk Dance

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act II: Dance with Mandolins

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act II: Public Merrymaking

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act II: Meeting of Tybalt and Mercutio

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act II: The Duel

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act II: Romeo Decides to Avenge Mercutio

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act II: Finale: Death of Tybalt

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act III: Romeo and Juliet

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act III: Romeo and Juliet at Parting

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act III: Interlude

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act III: Juliet Alone

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
Act IV: Juliet's Funeral

Composer: Sergei Prokofiev

Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra

Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
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 disc will be the one Romeo & Juliet to have and hold. [6/10/2004]

--Victor Carr Jr, ClassicsToday.com