BaL 8.01.22 - Prokofiev: Symphony No 5 in B-flat major

[cloughie]

I can recall a BaL many years ago in which Geoffrey Norris recommended the LSO/Walter Weller recording. Perhaps Darloboy can say if it's been done since.

The Weller is very good in typically fine Decca sound and I have that along with Previn, Rattle, Ashkenazy, Szell (Cleveland Orch), Jansons (RCO), Celibidache and Karajan.

My 'go to' recording has always been BPO/Karajan with those famous crashing tam-tam strokes which no-one else comes anywhere near to achieving, at least in the above versions I have. Whenever I listen to any other than the Karajan, I usually feel let down by the comparatively puny efforts at the tam-tam moments.

Karajan first choice for me.

Karajan was clearly very selective about what Prokofiev he conducted and recorded only Syms 1/5 (also Shostakovich only No10 and Nielsen only No4)

[Darloboy]

I can recall a BaL many years ago in which Geoffrey Norris recommended the LSO/Walter Weller recording. Perhaps Darloboy can say if it's been done since.

Yes, you're right, Weller was chosen by Geoffrey Norris back in November 1979. Incidentally its coupling of the Classical Symphony was Peter Paul Nash's first choice in May 99

The symphony appears to have been covered a lot by BaL over the years - 1961, 1964, 1968, 1972, 1979, 1988, 1998, 2012 and now 2022.

As for subsequent programmes, I'm afraid I don't know what the first choice was in 1988 (Paul Griffiths). In March 1998 Edward Seckerson chose the LSO conducted by Tilson-Thomas. And as has already been pointed out, Geoffrey Norris chose Karajan when he reviewed the recordings again in April 2012.

As it's M F-W this time round, I think there's a strong chance that she'll go for a Russian conductor; although she did choose Karajan for the Pathétique.

[RichardB]

I like the Sixth and the Fourth but agree that especially if I was attending a Concert the Fifth stands head and shoulders above all except “The Classical”. The Second for me is unlistenable, the Third and Seventh just don’t do much for me.

I was just thinking actually no.2 is my favourite! - followed by 3, 6 and 1 in that order, and the others blur together a bit.

I haven't heard that many recordings of the symphonies; when I got interested in them - not so long ago actually - I soon settled on the Gergiev set and I haven't felt the need for another.

[cloughie]

I was just thinking actually no.2 is my favourite! - followed by 3, 6 and 1 in that order, and the others blur together a bit.

I haven't heard that many recordings of the symphonies; when I got interested in them - not so long ago actually - I soon settled on the Gergiev set and I haven't felt the need for another.

No5 blurring - it doesn’t blur with anything it stands out like a beacon! When did you last hear it? Do yourself a favour and give it another go!

Just my view of course but as valid as any other!

Oh, and didn’t Prokofiev write superb bass lines?

[RichardB]

No5 blurring - it doesn’t blur with anything it stands out like a beacon! When did you last hear it? Do yourself a favour and give it another go!

Yes you're right, I should do that right away.

[Bryn]

I was just thinking actually no.2 is my favourite! - followed by 3, 6 and 1 in that order, and the others blur together a bit.

I haven't heard that many recordings of the symphonies; when I got interested in them - not so long ago actually - I soon settled on the Gergiev set and I haven't felt the need for another.

I have a good many different recordings of the Prokofiev Symphonies but only today got round to importing the Gergiev LSO set(s) from QOBUZ. They have two such sets, one under the Decca label and the other the Philips, The former has the 'bonus' of the alternative ending to the 7th, in addition to the original. However, their Decca labelled option stops 9 seconds short of the end of the 6th. I, therefore, had to resort to the Philips for the 6th. Strangely, both options show the same release date.

[cloughie]

I have a good many different recordings of the Prokofiev Symphonies but only today got round to importing the Gergiev LSO set(s) from QOBUZ. They have two such sets, one under the Decca label and the other the Philips, The former has the 'bonus' of the alternative ending to the 7th, in addition to the original. However, their Decca labelled option stops 9 seconds short of the end of the 6th. I, therefore, had to resort to the Philips for the 6th. Strangely, both options show the same release date.

Well it would - The Philips catalogue has for some years now appeared under the Decca logo!

[RichardB]

Taking Cloughie's advice I've just finished listening to the 5th (Karajan) - I think the reason it didn't stick in my mind as firmly as the 6th is that it's a bit too jolly for my liking.

[Bryn]

Well it would - The Philips catalogue has for some years now appeared under the Decca logo!

Indeed, but the content of the two sets, supposedly issued on the same date with different labels, also have different content but the same basic cover image.

https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/prokofiev-the-symphonies-london-symphony-orchestra-valery-gergiev/0002894757655

https://www.qobuz.com/ie-en/album/prokofiev-the-symphonies-london-symphony-orchestra-valery-gergiev/0002894757792

[gradus]

Oh dear, one of those works by a composer that I have rather overlooked - my loss. I have the Kletzki performance of the fifth, highly praised in its day and on the playlist this week.

[cloughie]

Taking Cloughie's advice I've just finished listening to the 5th (Karajan) - I think the reason it didn't stick in my mind as firmly as the 6th is that it's a bit too jolly for my liking.

OK RB be a, by choice, saddo!

[cloughie]

Indeed, but the content of the two sets, supposedly issued on the same date with different labels, also have different content but the same basic cover image.

https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/prokofiev-the-symphonies-london-symphony-orchestra-valery-gergiev/0002894757655

https://www.qobuz.com/ie-en/album/pr.../0002894757792

Presto have both available for download also the Deluxe Decca £5 cheaper (strange logic?) with the alt 7 ending - I have the Philips set on CD but could add the 7 alt ending for 87p!

[EnemyoftheStoat]

Somewhat contrarily, this BAL has sparked the idea that on unboxing my CDs post-move, I may do my own review of No 6 - the deeper work of the two, IMHO. As I recall, my collection includes:

Järvi/RSNO
Ashkenazy/Cleveland
Weller/LPO
Ozawa/Berlin PO
Gergiev/LSO
Gergiev/Mariinsky
Previn/LAPO
Karabits/Bournemouth SO
Litton/Bergen PO
Kuchar/NSO Ukraine

[RichardB]

OK RB be a, by choice, saddo!

guilty as charged, your honour

[BBMmk2]

Somewhat contrarily, this BAL has sparked the idea that on unboxing my CDs post-move, I may do my own review of No 6 - the deeper work of the two, IMHO. As I recall, my collection includes:

Järvi/RSNO
Ashkenazy/Cleveland
Weller/LPO
Ozawa/Berlin PO
Gergiev/LSO
Gergiev/Mariinsky
Previn/LAPO
Karabits/Bournemouth SO
Litton/Bergen PO
Kuchar/NSO Ukraine

Looks like a veritable treasure trove there. I have Neeme Järvi, on Chandos, as part of his cycle. I have others too. Must hear this again.