Prokofiev, Sergei (1891-1953)

[cloughie]

Beats me, but what are people's favourite pieces/recordings of this composer's work?

Symphony 5 LeningradPO Mariss Jansons, though there are many other really good recordings!

[Joseph K]

Thanks again for the suggestions.

Since it was the first suggestion, I am about to listen to symphony no. 3.

[Joseph K]

Thanks again for the suggestions.

Since it was the first suggestion, I am about to listen to symphony no. 3.

I enjoyed it. Very good.

[teamsaint]

Anybody got a strong preference for a CD of the SQS?

[Serial_Apologist]

Anybody got a strong preference for a CD of the SQS?

?

[teamsaint]

?

String Quartets with slight trypo

[jayne lee wilson]

Anybody got a strong preference for a CD of the SQS?

Exceptional in every way; I haven't heard any of the few more recent issues, but as Gramophone said (review 3/2010) it is hard to imagine better....(playing now....). The Haas are a marvellous group, their Brahms Op.34/111 earlier this year was stunning, and they've won several G-Awards.
With them, every phrase matters and they really speak to us, and each other....



Prokofiev: String Quartets Nos 1 & 2, Sonata for Two Violins
Pavel Haas Quartet

• Released on 01/01/2009 by Supraphon a.s

[Master Jacques]

None of the recent versions quite captures (for me) the intense beauty of the Hollywood Quartet in their 1951 recording of the 2nd, quite beautifully transferred by Testament and coupled with Hindemith's 3rd and the Walton - a classic choice.

Amongst relatively modern versions coupling both quartets (and both adding the Sonata for 2 Violins), I personally would plump for the Emerson Quartet (DGG, 1998) over the Pavel Haas Quartet, which creates a mighty splash on first acquaintance, but on repetition seems to me prone to aggressive bowing and overemphasising dynamic contrasts. It's too calculated for me. The Emersons, on the other hand, are cool customers, projecting the gleaming steel-and-glass of Prokofiev's writing with staggering virtuosity, but at a distance, maybe at the expense of emotional directness. So it all depends on your taste!

I haven't heard the Aurora Quartet on Naxos, and would be interested to hear how that compares with these other two.

[Pulcinella]

None of the recent versions quite captures (for me) the intense beauty of the Hollywood Quartet in their 1951 recording of the 2nd, quite beautifully transferred by Testament and coupled with Hindemith's 3rd and the Walton - a classic choice.

Amongst relatively modern versions coupling both quartets (and both adding the Sonata for 2 Violins), I personally would plump for the Emerson Quartet (DGG, 1998) over the Pavel Haas Quartet, which creates a mighty splash on first acquaintance, but on repetition seems to me prone to aggressive bowing and overemphasising dynamic contrasts. It's too calculated for me. The Emersons, on the other hand, are cool customers, projecting the gleaming steel-and-glass of Prokofiev's writing with staggering virtuosity, but at a distance, maybe at the expense of emotional directness. So it all depends on your taste!

I haven't heard the Aurora Quartet on Naxos, and would be interested to hear how that compares with these other two.

I too was not that taken with the Hass Quartet interpretations.
I have the American String Quartet, originally on Olympia, now on alto.

[Master Jacques]

I too was not that taken with the Hass Quartet interpretations.
I have the American String Quartet, originally on Olympia, now on alto.

That looks interesting - and I see Robert Layton gave it a good thumbs-up in his Gramophone review ("best since the matchless Hollywood..."). Amazon had some cheap copies of the original Olympia issue, so I've succumbed!

[Bryn]

That looks interesting - and I see Robert Layton gave it a good thumbs-up in his Gramophone review ("best since the matchless Hollywood..."). Amazon had some cheap copies of the original Olympia issue, so I've succumbed!

Unfortunately, the streaming option there leads not to the American Sting Quartet but to the Emersons.

[Pulcinella]

Unfortunately, the streaming option there leads not to the American Sting Quartet but to the Emersons.

I know that Sting has narrated Peter and the wolf, but I didn't know that he'd formed a quartet.

Hope you didn't get stung by parting with cash for the wrong thing!

[Bryn]

I know that Sting has narrated Peter and the wolf, but I didn't know that he'd formed a quartet.

Hope you didn't get stung by parting with cash for the wrong thing!

I have clearly been listening to too much Scott Joplin of late.

[Master Jacques]

I too was not that taken with the Hass Quartet interpretations.
I have the American String Quartet, originally on Olympia, now on alto.

Having now heard the American SQ on Olympia, thank you Pulcinella for steering me towards this excellent disc. The Americans seem to me to combine the best features of the two, later readings from the Emerson and Pavel Haas SQs, adding the gleaming security of the former to the imaginative freedom of the latter, while keeping everything intelligently contained. I like their performance of the underrated 1st Quartet in particular, very much.

[Pulcinella]

Having now heard the American SQ on Olympia, thank you Pulcinella for steering me towards this excellent disc. The Americans seem to me to combine the best features of the two, later readings from the Emerson and Pavel Haas SQs, adding the gleaming security of the former to the imaginative freedom of the latter, while keeping everything intelligently contained. I like their performance of the underrated 1st Quartet in particular, very much.

Pleased that you have enjoyed it so much.