Search - Sergey Prokofiev, Neeme Jarvi, Scottish National Orchestra :: Sergey Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kijé, Symphonic Suite Op. 60 / Andante Op. 50 bis (Transcription for String Orchestra from String Quartet No. 1, Op. 50) / Autumn, Symphonic Sketch Op. 8 / Suite from "The Stone Flower", Op. 118 - Neeme Järvi

The Stone Flower was Prokofiev's last full-length ballet, and it remains the least known of his "big three." Musically, there's no reason for this at all, but Prokofiev's last years were sad. After the successes he experienced on his return to Russia with works like the film score to Lieutenant Kije, he was attacked by Communist party hacks (as was Shostakovich) and accused of "formalism." Nobody, then or now, really knew what this meant, except that it was a useful tool used by the jealous to brand Russia's greatest living composers. In declining health and beset by critics on all sides, Prokofiev died in 1953 on the same day as Stalin. His late works have since been rediscovered to the delight of music lovers everywhere. As you can hear for yourself, there's some vintage stuff here. --David Hurwitz