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Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky & Lieutenant Kije Suite / Fischer, Utah Symphony
Reference Recordings

Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky & Lieutenant Kije Suite / Fischer, Utah Symphony

$21.99

Details

Composer
PROKOFIEV, SERGEI
Artist
Kolosova, University Of Ut
Format
SACD
Label
Reference Recordings
Released
Oct 25, 2019
Catalog #
FR-735SACD
UPC
030911273521

About

The Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev was one of the giants of 20th century music. Reference Recordings is proud to present the Utah Symphony conducted by Thierry Fischer, in grand new performances of "Alexander Nevsky" and the "Lieutenant Kijé Suite", two of his most brilliant and dramatic musical works. The music of Lieutenant Kijé was originally written as the score to the film of the same name, released in March 1934. Prokofiev soon adapted it into the five-movement Lieutenant Kijé Suite, first performed in December 1934, and which quickly became a favorite in the international concert repertoire. Then, in 1938, Prokofiev collaborated with film director Eisenstein to create the score for the film Alexander Nevsky. He later adapted much of his score into the large-scale cantata for mezzo-soprano, orchestra and chorus featured on this recording.

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REVIEW:

The Lieutenant Kijé Suite's piquant opening movement, ‘Kijé’s Birth’, is notable for some nimble playing, especially from the Utah Symphony’s woodwinds. ‘Romance’ is nicely shaped and I liked the contributions of the tenor saxophonist. The cheeky music of ‘Kijé’s Wedding’ is nicely pointed and the tuba ‘oompahs’ add a suitably amusing touch. In the concluding ‘Kijé’s Funeral’ Prokofiev offers a kind of musical obituary by weaving in snippets from the four preceding movements. This is a very nicely done performance and I enjoyed it.

The Alexander Nevsky cantata is a vivid, theatrical score and in the right hands it certainly packs a punch. This new version from Thierry Fischer has a lot going for it, not least the vivid recorded sound.

The quality of the sound is immediately evident in ‘Russia under Mongolian Tyranny’ where the brooding atmosphere established by Fischer and his orchestra is emphasised by the wide-ranging recording. The sound has impact and genuine presence, offering a vivid aural picture of the orchestra. The Utah choirs make a strong showing in the delivery of their long phrases in ‘Song of Alexander Nevsky’. Things really get cracking in ‘The Crusade in Pskov’ where the oppressive dissonance of Prokofiev’s music is strongly projected by the orchestra, reinforced eventually by the choir. The recording has power and clarity, maximising the impact of the performance.

– MusicWeb International

Tracklist 12 tracks

  1. 1 Russia under the Mongolian Yoke 03:29
    Track
    1
    Title
    Russia under the Mongolian Yoke
    Duration
    03:29
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Utah Symphony Choir, University of Utah A Cappella Choir, University of Utah Chamber Choir, Utah Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Thierry Fischer
  2. 2 Song about Alexander Nevsky 03:50
    Track
    2
    Title
    Song about Alexander Nevsky
    Duration
    03:50
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Utah Symphony Choir, University of Utah A Cappella Choir, University of Utah Chamber Choir, Utah Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Thierry Fischer
  3. 3 The Crusaders in Pskov 07:28
    Track
    3
    Title
    The Crusaders in Pskov
    Duration
    07:28
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Utah Symphony Choir, University of Utah A Cappella Choir, University of Utah Chamber Choir, Utah Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Thierry Fischer
  4. 4 Arise, Ye Russian People 02:06
    Track
    4
    Title
    Arise, Ye Russian People
    Duration
    02:06
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Utah Symphony Choir, University of Utah A Cappella Choir, University of Utah Chamber Choir, Utah Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Thierry Fischer
  5. 5 The Battle on the Ice 13:46
    Track
    5
    Title
    The Battle on the Ice
    Duration
    13:46
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Utah Symphony Choir, University of Utah A Cappella Choir, University of Utah Chamber Choir, Utah Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Thierry Fischer
  6. 6 The Field of Death 06:13
    Track
    6
    Title
    The Field of Death
    Duration
    06:13
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Performer
    Alisa Kolosova
    Ensemble
    Utah Symphony Choir, University of Utah A Cappella Choir, University of Utah Chamber Choir, Utah Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Thierry Fischer
  7. 7 Alexander's Entry into Pskov 04:31
    Track
    7
    Title
    Alexander's Entry into Pskov
    Duration
    04:31
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Utah Symphony Choir, University of Utah A Cappella Choir, University of Utah Chamber Choir, Utah Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Thierry Fischer
  8. 8 I. The Birth of Kijé 03:58
    Track
    8
    Title
    I. The Birth of Kijé
    Duration
    03:58
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Utah Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Thierry Fischer
  9. 9 II. Romance 03:51
    Track
    9
    Title
    II. Romance
    Duration
    03:51
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Utah Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Thierry Fischer
  10. 10 III. Kijé's Wedding 02:33
    Track
    10
    Title
    III. Kijé's Wedding
    Duration
    02:33
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Utah Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Thierry Fischer
  11. 11 IV. Troika 02:42
    Track
    11
    Title
    IV. Troika
    Duration
    02:42
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Utah Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Thierry Fischer
  12. 12 V. The Burial of Kijé 05:22
    Track
    12
    Title
    V. The Burial of Kijé
    Duration
    05:22
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Utah Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Thierry Fischer