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Prokofiev: The Symphonies / Litton, Bergen Philharmonic
BIS

Prokofiev: The Symphonies / Litton, Bergen Philharmonic

$49.99

Details

Composer
PROKOFIEV, SERGEI
Artist
Litton, Bondarenko
Format
SACD
Label
BIS
Released
Sep 17, 2021
Catalog #
BIS-2594
UPC
7318599925943

About

Celebrating the 130th anniversary of Sergei Prokofiev (1891 - 1953), the present box set brings together recordings of his seven symphonies made by Andrew Litton and the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra between 2012 and 2017. Released on separate discs, the series has received acclaim from international reviewers, variously highlighting the orchestra ('Bergen Philharmonic plays gorgeously... ', ClassicsToday. Com), the conductor ('It is clear that Litton has a deep understanding of Prokofiev's complex, protean style... ', MusicWeb-International) and the recordings themselves ('BIS's blockbuster sound... ', Fanfare). The symphonies appear with their original couplings, including the popular suites from the film score to Lieutenant Kijé and the ballet The Love for Three Oranges. As an added bonus, the set includes the team's very first recording for BIS: an innovative and highly praised version of Prokofiev's three suites from Romeo and Juliet, with the 20 movements reordered to follow the ballet score.

Excerpts of reviews from previously released volumes included in this set:

Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 1-3

In sum these performances, engineered with warmth, clarity and impact, rank with best; and having all three symphonies on a single disc makes this release something of a bargain as well–even at full price.

– ClassicsToday.com (10/10; David Hurwitz)

This is a perfect disc; absolutely everything goes right. The revised, enlarged version of the Fourth Symphony can sound bloated and too long for its material. This performance, by contrast, has passion, color, and drive aplenty. Especially in the outer movements, you’d never know that the leaner, meaner first version exists, and no praise can be higher than that.

The Seventh has always been, for me at least, a better work than many commentators allow. It contains, for example, one of Prokofiev’s best lyrical melodies in its first movement and finale. The waltz-like scherzo is wholly delightful, the slow third movement touching. Prokofiev often indulges a deliberate simplicity, and Litton takes him at his word, never for a moment lapsing into artifice or affectation.

The finale, which we get to hear twice complete, once with each of its endings, is particularly breezy and exhilarating. Through it all the Bergen Philharmonic plays gorgeously, and the SACD sonics are state-of-the-art. A wonderful release.

– ClassicsToday.com (10/10; David Hurwitz)

Tracklist 67 tracks

  1. Disc 1
  2. 1 I. Allegro 04:16
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Allegro
    Duration
    04:16
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  3. 2 II. Larghetto 03:55
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Larghetto
    Duration
    03:55
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  4. 3 III. Gavotte: Non troppo allegro 01:35
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Gavotte: Non troppo allegro
    Duration
    01:35
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  5. 4 IV. Finale: Molto vivace 04:07
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Finale: Molto vivace
    Duration
    04:07
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  6. 5 I. Allegro ben articolato 11:59
    Track
    5
    Title
    I. Allegro ben articolato
    Duration
    11:59
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  7. 6 II. Theme 01:49
    Track
    6
    Title
    II. Theme
    Duration
    01:49
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  8. 7 II. Variation 1 02:09
    Track
    7
    Title
    II. Variation 1
    Duration
    02:09
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  9. 8 II. Variation 2 02:50
    Track
    8
    Title
    II. Variation 2
    Duration
    02:50
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  10. 9 II. Variation 3 02:11
    Track
    9
    Title
    II. Variation 3
    Duration
    02:11
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  11. 10 II. Variation 4 05:25
    Track
    10
    Title
    II. Variation 4
    Duration
    05:25
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  12. 11 II. Variation 5 02:48
    Track
    11
    Title
    II. Variation 5
    Duration
    02:48
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  13. 12 II. Variation 6 and Theme 06:52
    Track
    12
    Title
    II. Variation 6 and Theme
    Duration
    06:52
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  14. 13 I. Moderato 13:45
    Track
    13
    Title
    I. Moderato
    Duration
    13:45
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  15. 14 II. Andante 06:59
    Track
    14
    Title
    II. Andante
    Duration
    06:59
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  16. 15 III. Allegro agitato - Allegretto 08:12
    Track
    15
    Title
    III. Allegro agitato - Allegretto
    Duration
    08:12
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  17. 16 IV. Andante mosso - Allegro moderato 06:04
    Track
    16
    Title
    IV. Andante mosso - Allegro moderato
    Duration
    06:04
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  18. Disc 2
  19. 1 I. Andante - Allegro eroico - Allegretto 13:23
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Andante - Allegro eroico - Allegretto
    Duration
    13:23
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  20. 2 II. Andante tranquillo 09:55
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Andante tranquillo
    Duration
    09:55
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  21. 3 III. Moderato quasi allegretto 05:39
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Moderato quasi allegretto
    Duration
    05:39
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  22. 4 IV. Allegro risoluto 09:37
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Allegro risoluto
    Duration
    09:37
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  23. 5 I. Moderato 10:08
    Track
    5
    Title
    I. Moderato
    Duration
    10:08
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  24. 6 II. Allegretto 08:01
    Track
    6
    Title
    II. Allegretto
    Duration
    08:01
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  25. 7 III. Andante espressivo 05:44
    Track
    7
    Title
    III. Andante espressivo
    Duration
    05:44
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  26. 8 IV. Vivace 08:46
    Track
    8
    Title
    IV. Vivace
    Duration
    08:46
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  27. 9 IV. Vivace (alternative ending) 09:04
    Track
    9
    Title
    IV. Vivace (alternative ending)
    Duration
    09:04
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  28. Disc 3
  29. 1 I. Andante 14:15
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Andante
    Duration
    14:15
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  30. 2 II. Allegro marcato 08:29
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Allegro marcato
    Duration
    08:29
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  31. 3 III. Adagio 12:39
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Adagio
    Duration
    12:39
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  32. 4 IV. Allegro giocoso 09:37
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Allegro giocoso
    Duration
    09:37
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  33. 5 I. L'adoration de Veless et de Ala (Invocation to Veles and Ala) 05:59
    Track
    5
    Title
    I. L'adoration de Veless et de Ala (Invocation to Veles and Ala)
    Duration
    05:59
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  34. 6 II. Le dieu ennemi et la danse des esprits noirs (The Evil God and Dance of the Pagan Monster) 03:17
    Track
    6
    Title
    II. Le dieu ennemi et la danse des esprits noirs (The Evil God and Dance of the Pagan Monster)
    Duration
    03:17
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  35. 7 III. La nuit (Night) 05:55
    Track
    7
    Title
    III. La nuit (Night)
    Duration
    05:55
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  36. 8 IV. Le départ glorieux de Lolly et le cortège du Soleil (Lolly's Pursuit of the Evil God and the Sunrise) 05:22
    Track
    8
    Title
    IV. Le départ glorieux de Lolly et le cortège du Soleil (Lolly's Pursuit of the Evil God and the Sunrise)
    Duration
    05:22
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  37. Disc 4
  38. 1 I. Allegro moderato 14:19
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Allegro moderato
    Duration
    14:19
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  39. 2 II. Largo 15:52
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Largo
    Duration
    15:52
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  40. 3 III. Vivace 11:55
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Vivace
    Duration
    11:55
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  41. 4 I. The Birth of Kijé 04:18
    Track
    4
    Title
    I. The Birth of Kijé
    Duration
    04:18
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  42. 5 II. Romance 04:05
    Track
    5
    Title
    II. Romance
    Duration
    04:05
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Performer
    Andrei Bondarenko
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  43. 6 III. The Wedding of Kijé 02:44
    Track
    6
    Title
    III. The Wedding of Kijé
    Duration
    02:44
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  44. 7 IV. Troika 02:49
    Track
    7
    Title
    IV. Troika
    Duration
    02:49
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Performer
    Andrei Bondarenko
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  45. 8 V. The Interment of Kijé 05:34
    Track
    8
    Title
    V. The Interment of Kijé
    Duration
    05:34
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  46. 9 I. The Clowns 02:57
    Track
    9
    Title
    I. The Clowns
    Duration
    02:57
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  47. 10 II. The Magician and the Witch play cards 03:39
    Track
    10
    Title
    II. The Magician and the Witch play cards
    Duration
    03:39
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  48. 11 III. March 01:47
    Track
    11
    Title
    III. March
    Duration
    01:47
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  49. 12 IV. Scherzo 01:27
    Track
    12
    Title
    IV. Scherzo
    Duration
    01:27
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  50. 13 V. The Prince and Princess 03:54
    Track
    13
    Title
    V. The Prince and Princess
    Duration
    03:54
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  51. 14 VI. The Flight 02:10
    Track
    14
    Title
    VI. The Flight
    Duration
    02:10
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  52. Disc 5
  53. 1 I. Romeo at the Fountain 01:44
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Romeo at the Fountain
    Duration
    01:44
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  54. 2 II. Scene 01:34
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Scene
    Duration
    01:34
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  55. 3 II. Morning Dance 02:21
    Track
    3
    Title
    II. Morning Dance
    Duration
    02:21
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  56. 4 II. The Young Juliet 03:43
    Track
    4
    Title
    II. The Young Juliet
    Duration
    03:43
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  57. 5 IV. The Nurse 02:09
    Track
    5
    Title
    IV. The Nurse
    Duration
    02:09
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  58. 6 I. Montagues and Capulets 05:26
    Track
    6
    Title
    I. Montagues and Capulets
    Duration
    05:26
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  59. 7 III. Juliet 04:11
    Track
    7
    Title
    III. Juliet
    Duration
    04:11
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  60. 8 III. Madrigal 03:33
    Track
    8
    Title
    III. Madrigal
    Duration
    03:33
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  61. 9 IV. Minuet 03:01
    Track
    9
    Title
    IV. Minuet
    Duration
    03:01
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  62. 10 V. Masks 02:08
    Track
    10
    Title
    V. Masks
    Duration
    02:08
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  63. 11 VI. Romeo and Juliet 07:29
    Track
    11
    Title
    VI. Romeo and Juliet
    Duration
    07:29
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  64. 12 I. Folk Dance 04:34
    Track
    12
    Title
    I. Folk Dance
    Duration
    04:34
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  65. 13 IV. Dance 01:57
    Track
    13
    Title
    IV. Dance
    Duration
    01:57
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  66. 14 III. Friar Laurence 02:24
    Track
    14
    Title
    III. Friar Laurence
    Duration
    02:24
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  67. 15 VII. Death of Tybalt 04:44
    Track
    15
    Title
    VII. Death of Tybalt
    Duration
    04:44
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  68. 16 V. Romeo at Juliet's before Parting 07:11
    Track
    16
    Title
    V. Romeo at Juliet's before Parting
    Duration
    07:11
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  69. 17 V. Aubade 02:38
    Track
    17
    Title
    V. Aubade
    Duration
    02:38
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  70. 18 VI. Dance of the Antilles Girls 02:07
    Track
    18
    Title
    VI. Dance of the Antilles Girls
    Duration
    02:07
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  71. 19 VII. Romeo at the Grave of Juliet 05:41
    Track
    19
    Title
    VII. Romeo at the Grave of Juliet
    Duration
    05:41
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton
  72. 20 VI. The Death of Juliet 03:39
    Track
    20
    Title
    VI. The Death of Juliet
    Duration
    03:39
    Composer
    Sergei Prokofiev
    Ensemble
    Bergen Filharmoniske Orkester
    Conductor
    Andrew Litton