Search - Sergey Prokofiev, Neeme Jarvi, Scottish National Orchestra :: Sergey Prokofiev: The Prodigal Son, Op. 46, Ballet in Three Scenes by Boris Kochno / Divertimento, Op. 43 / Andante, from Piano Sonata No. 4, Op. 29 bis (Transcription by the Composer for Orchestra) / Symphonic Song, Op. 57 - Neeme Järvi

Little Known But Great Music

D. A Wend | Buffalo Grove, IL USA | 06/04/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is among my favorite discs of Sergei Prokofiev's music, one that I
play frequently. The music recorded here is, for the most part, unfamiliar.
The Prodigal Son, despite its popularity, does not have many recordings.
This is among the best and truly brings out the emotion lying behind the
music of Prokofiev's own yearnings to return to his native Russia. The
Prodigal Son also marks a stage in Prokofiev's quest for a simplification
of his music that came to fruition when he returned to the Soviet Union in
1936. This ballet was among the last performed by the Ballet Russes, and
among the most successful. Although based on the story from the Gospel
of St. Luke, the ballet departs from the story by omitting the elder
brother and being more descriptive of the temptations and tumult the
prodigal son encounters; the Siren was a figure entirely made up. The
ballet can be said to reflect Prokofiev's own feelings on living in the
West, where he found his music accepted with some reluctance. The feeling
of having strayed into trouble and being forgiven that is embodied in the
music caused the opening night audience to shed a few tears. So when the
Prodigal Son returns to his father in the last scene of the opera, humbling
himself, it is Prokofiev himself thinking of his return home.The remaining works are different in their dissonance from The Prodigal son
but date from the early 1930s. They are based, for the most part, on
earlier material. The Divertimento has material used in a quintet-ballet
called Trapeze and the Andante from the 4th piano sonata dates from 1917.
Only the dissonant Symphonic Song of 1933 was based on new material. These
short works are of great interest but never achieved much fame. The music
is fabulously played by the Scottish National Orchestra and the recording
by Chandos is crystal clear. One must thanks Nemi Jarvi for his interest
in little-played works for this highly interesting CD."