Search - Sergey Prokofiev, Erich Leinsdorf, Boston Symphony Orchestra :: Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet; Lieutenant Kijé Suite

Worth the wait...

Frank C. Adams | Boston, MA United States | 06/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...I have been waiting literally twenty years for the release of this performance on CD. It belongs in the BSO Hall of Fame (some others: Saint-Saens Organ Symphony/Munch-and almost anything else he recorded; Holst 'The Planets'/Steinberg; Smetana'Ma Vlast'/Kubelik; Sibeleus Symphonies/C Davis and Schoenberg 'Gurrelieder'/Ozawa).



This disc was first issued on LP in 1968 and was unusual in providing over 60 minutes of music-a seeming natural for reissue on CD. Leinsdorf had a stormy relationship with the BSO, but the orchestra certainly performed at a virtuoso level for him. He selected the excerpts (which are not in exact order) which are superior to the suites Prokofiev prepared to gain exposure for the music; they are too fragmented by comparison.



Interestingly, in Leinsdorf's only appearance (to my knowledge) with the orchestra after his tenure was in the early 70's; he chose this work. It had originally been part of a Prokofiev series done in the 60's and recorded by RCA. 'Lt Kije' must have been part of this series and is a welcome bonus to this disc, although, strangely, the effective vocal soloist is not credited.



The sound is excellent as you would expect from the RCA engineers, perticularly given the vintage. Highly recommended even in a crowded field.

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