Search - Prokofiev, Slatkin, Slso :: Symphonies 1 & 5

Leonard Slatkin's expertise in Russian music is well known, and this Grammy Award-winning Prokofiev Fifth is one of his finest records. It's a symphony that has been surprisingly unlucky on disc, considering how many times it's been recorded. There's nothing particularly tricky about it, except that your orchestra needs a great low end--tuba and bass drum--and you can't pull any punches at the climaxes, particularly at the end of the first movement. It's amazing how many conductors refuse to allow the tam-tam (gong) to crash the way Prokofiev clearly directs that it should. Well, Slatkin isn't afraid of a little noise, and for the squeamish, there's an elegant and charming Classical Symphony as well. --David Hurwitz