Search - Alexander Glazunov, Sergey Prokofiev, Cleveland Orchestra :: Prokofiev: Cinderella, Op. 87; Glazunov: Seasons Op67

Wonderful

Jason Amsden | Boston, MA United States | 06/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an unbelievably wonderful recording of Prokofiev's ballet `Cinderella.' It is far better than Andre Previn's recording with the London Symphony. The Cleveland Orchestra plays with unparalleled precision and flexibility providing Ashkenazy with the ideal vehicle for presenting his excellent interpretation. The recording quality is fabulous. In addition, Glazunov's `The Seasons' provides an interesting filler for the end of the second CD."

Excellent recording

kv581 | Durham, NC United States | 12/03/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Excellent recording. Along with the Previn/LSO version on EMI, this is one of two great recordings of "Cinderella." However, the "filler" here is more gratifying than the one provided on Previn disks (Prokofiev's Classical Symphony). Nonetheless, both recordings are excellent. No need to go to other more expensive yet less satisfying versions."

Brilliant Recording and Amazing Music!!!

Steven Keller | Durham, NC | 06/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Prokofiev is very well known for his Romeo and Juliet ballet, however, IMO his Cinderella ballet featured on this 2-CD set is EVEN BETTER!!!



As some other reviewers noted, this is relatively dark music --- not outright dissonant for the most part, but consists of mainly minor-key music and atonal sections with the occasional major-key section thrown in when the story calls for it. Prokofiev wrote this ballet right after finishing Romeo and Juliet, and IMO he improved a great deal from his first ballet. The themes and leitmotifs are catchier, the dark music is more refined, and the overall cohesiveness of the story-put-to-music is maintained better---it is very easy to imagine the story in your mind as you listen to the music.



I absolutely love it --- on the first listen, there so many great surprises (especially the infamous Clock melody --- that melody has been stuck in my head for weeks and has prevented me from falling asleep quickly on several occasions!) The ballet is chock full of catchy, mysterious, wonderful themes and counter-melodies, and brilliant playful sections and dark waltzes --- to top it all off, this orchestral recording in particular captures the essence of the story's mood perfectly.



Glazunov's Seasons is also a magnificent "filler" addition to this 2-CD set --- I've heard a # of reviewers mention CDs that they would like to be stranded with on a desert island. This one certainly has jumped very quickly to the top of my list --- I can't stop listening to it.



I highly encourage you to pick this up and discover the magic of Prokofiev's lesser-known ballet. Fans of Stravinsky's Firebird ballet are particularly encouraged."