Prokofiev Cello Concerto

[Barbirollians]

I have just got round to listening to Isserlis's recent recording of the Prokofiev Cello Concerto a work that since the arrival of the Symphony Concerto appears to have pretty much disappeared from view . I had never heard it before . There may be music in common but what a radical extraordinary piece if is - the finale is amazing to my ears it sounds like an impression of what it is like to live under an unpredictable cruel and crazed dictator Stalin in music perhaps . Stunningly played, accompanied and recorded .

The Shostakovich Cello Concerto No 1 as coupling is excellent too - especially the Moderato.

[richardfinegold]

It sounds like you are trying to make a case for this piece being analogous to the "Stalin movement" of Shostakovich's Tenth Symphony. I never thought of that, but it's plausible.

[Barbirollians]

It sounds like you are trying to make a case for this piece being analogous to the "Stalin movement" of Shostakovich's Tenth Symphony. I never thought of that, but it's plausible.

I doubt that was expressly in Prokofiev's mind but it was written in 1938 following the show trials and horrors of Stalin in the 1930s moreover he was not allowed any more to dedicate the work to Piatigorsky or give him the first performance as he was a Soviet emigre . It is so different from the Symphony Concerto .

[Stanfordian]

I have just got round to listening to Isserlis's recent recording of the Prokofiev Cello Concerto a work that since the arrival of the Symphony Concerto appears to have pretty much disappeared from view . I had never heard it before . There may be music in common but what a radical extraordinary piece if is - the finale is amazing to my ears it sounds like an impression of what it is like to live under an unpredictable cruel and crazed dictator Stalin in music perhaps . Stunningly played, accompanied and recorded .

The Shostakovich Cello Concerto No 1 as coupling is excellent too - especially the Moderato.

Hiya Barbirollians,

I often play Prokofiev's Sinfonia Concertante (Symphony-Concerto) for cello and orchestra in E minor, Op. 125 by Gautier Capuçon the Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre under Valery Gergiev. Gautier Capuçon was recorded live in 2008 at the Concert Hall of the Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg on Virgin.

[Barbirollians]

Hiya Barbirollians,

I often play Prokofiev's Sinfonia Concertante (Symphony-Concerto) for cello and orchestra in E minor, Op. 125 by Gautier Capuçon the Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre under Valery Gergiev. Gautier Capuçon was recorded live in 2008 at the Concert Hall of the Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg on Virgin.

I don't know that recording but have the Rostropovich and Maisky recordings . I would recommend getting this Isserlis recording of the original Cello Concerto from which the Symphony Concerto was reworked .

[jayne lee wilson]

Thanks for highlighting this one, Barb - just visited Hyperion, read Isserlis' booklet note - and downloaded the 24/48 album immediately! Looking forward to a very late (or very early) play....

What with the CPO/Weithaas Bruch, and a return to Skalkottas' stunning Double-Violin Concerto, I've fallen into a serendipitous string concerto season...

[Dave2002]

What with the CPO/Weithaas Bruch, and a return to Skalkottas' stunning Double-Violin Concerto, I've fallen into a serendipitous string concerto season...

OT re Prokofiev, but mention of Skalkottas is of interest. Which version of the Double concerto have you tried?

Another work which could be worthy of investigation is his Double Bass concerto.

It's been a while since I've heard music like this - particularly the Double Bass concerto.

I don't quite see how we can continue a dialogue on this Prokofiev thread (without going OT)- perhaps have to go to "what are you listening to now" or some other thread - maybe start a "New Discoveries" thread.

[jayne lee wilson]

D2k2 - the Skalkottas is the Demertzis Orchestration on BIS 1554. Which is 24-bit, like this Prokofiev! Now there's a local-DJ link for you...

(Will post on Skalkottas via the Listening thread later today...back to bed for me now. Prokofiev tonight.)