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RCA

MTT - Michael Tilson Thomas - Prokofiev: Romeo & Juliet

$17.99

Details

Composer
PROKOFIEV, SERGEI
Artist
Michael Tilson, Thomas
Format
CD
Label
RCA
Released
Dec 17, 2009
Catalog #
RCA68288
UPC
090266828821

About

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

Tracklist 29 tracks

  1. 1 Act I: Introduction 02:46
    Track
    1
    Title
    Act I: Introduction
    Duration
    02:46
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  2. 2 Act I: Romeo 01:41
    Track
    2
    Title
    Act I: Romeo
    Duration
    01:41
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  3. 3 Act I: The Street Wakens 01:26
    Track
    3
    Title
    Act I: The Street Wakens
    Duration
    01:26
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  4. 4 Act I: The Quarrel 01:46
    Track
    4
    Title
    Act I: The Quarrel
    Duration
    01:46
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  5. 5 Act I: The Fight 02:35
    Track
    5
    Title
    Act I: The Fight
    Duration
    02:35
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  6. 6 Act I: The Duke's Command 01:40
    Track
    6
    Title
    Act I: The Duke's Command
    Duration
    01:40
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  7. 7 Act I: Interlude 02:12
    Track
    7
    Title
    Act I: Interlude
    Duration
    02:12
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  8. 8 Act I: Nurse 02:16
    Track
    8
    Title
    Act I: Nurse
    Duration
    02:16
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  9. 9 Act I: The Young Juliet 03:37
    Track
    9
    Title
    Act I: The Young Juliet
    Duration
    03:37
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  10. 10 Act I: Arrival of the Guests 04:11
    Track
    10
    Title
    Act I: Arrival of the Guests
    Duration
    04:11
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  11. 11 Act I: Dance of the Knights 04:34
    Track
    11
    Title
    Act I: Dance of the Knights
    Duration
    04:34
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  12. 12 Act I: Mercutio 02:16
    Track
    12
    Title
    Act I: Mercutio
    Duration
    02:16
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  13. 13 Act I: Madrigal 02:00
    Track
    13
    Title
    Act I: Madrigal
    Duration
    02:00
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  14. 14 Act I: Gavotte 02:47
    Track
    14
    Title
    Act I: Gavotte
    Duration
    02:47
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  15. 15 Act I: Balcony Scene 08:15
    Track
    15
    Title
    Act I: Balcony Scene
    Duration
    08:15
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  16. 16 Act III: Introduction 01:14
    Track
    16
    Title
    Act III: Introduction
    Duration
    01:14
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  17. 17 Act II: Folk Dance 04:06
    Track
    17
    Title
    Act II: Folk Dance
    Duration
    04:06
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  18. 18 Act II: Dance with Mandolins 01:55
    Track
    18
    Title
    Act II: Dance with Mandolins
    Duration
    01:55
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  19. 19 Act II: Public Merrymaking 02:47
    Track
    19
    Title
    Act II: Public Merrymaking
    Duration
    02:47
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  20. 20 Act II: Meeting of Tybalt and Mercutio 01:45
    Track
    20
    Title
    Act II: Meeting of Tybalt and Mercutio
    Duration
    01:45
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  21. 21 Act II: The Duel 01:23
    Track
    21
    Title
    Act II: The Duel
    Duration
    01:23
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  22. 22 Act II: Romeo Decides to Avenge Mercutio 01:13
    Track
    22
    Title
    Act II: Romeo Decides to Avenge Mercutio
    Duration
    01:13
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  23. 23 Act II: Finale: Death of Tybalt 02:21
    Track
    23
    Title
    Act II: Finale: Death of Tybalt
    Duration
    02:21
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  24. 24 Act III: Romeo and Juliet 01:17
    Track
    24
    Title
    Act III: Romeo and Juliet
    Duration
    01:17
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  25. 25 Act III: Romeo and Juliet at Parting 03:24
    Track
    25
    Title
    Act III: Romeo and Juliet at Parting
    Duration
    03:24
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  26. 26 Act III: Interlude 01:24
    Track
    26
    Title
    Act III: Interlude
    Duration
    01:24
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  27. 27 Act III: Juliet Alone 01:53
    Track
    27
    Title
    Act III: Juliet Alone
    Duration
    01:53
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  28. 28 Act IV: Juliet's Funeral 06:07
    Track
    28
    Title
    Act IV: Juliet's Funeral
    Duration
    06:07
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas
  29. 29 Act IV: Juliet's Death 03:05
    Track
    29
    Title
    Act IV: Juliet's Death
    Duration
    03:05
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Michael Tilson Thomas