Repertoire: The BEST Prokofiev Lieutenant Kijé Suite

[@IsothermeMusic]

The sleigh bell demonstration was fabulous. One of my favorite things about this piece. I can thank Emerson Lake and Palmer for introducing me to kije as they used part for “I Believe in Father Christmas”

[@williamearle6281]

Glad to hear validation of my love and first place status for the Ormandy. One of my first, if not first classical LPS as an adolescent. I think my LP was paired with the Szell recording of the classical symphony, and ormondy's love for three oranges which is also my favorite. But those lyrics you mentioned are very clever. Thanks for sharing!.

[@jenskrotzsch4266]

Thank you, Dave, for commenting this Lt. Kije Suite. I heard it today for the very first time in my life (conducted by Szell) and it was breathtaking strange. I had so much fun listening to it and was astonished, though the symphonic works I found were not made for me. I enjoyed your performance with the tambourine and the sleigh bells.

[@Donaldopato]

My first exposure to classical music was from Ormandy’s recordings in the 70’s. Glad you give him some love and respect!

[@remline]

Thank you for the expert analysis of the Kije percussion scoring!

[@MichaelFrontz]

I’ve been going through your old videos, and each one is a goldmine. Hadn’t heard this piece before, but I listened to Szell’s rendition and found it delightful. Abaddo’s album is up next for me.

[@joedeegan3870]

I agree, Eugene Ormandy's recording is great and I have had it since my College Days (1963-67)

[@chutton988]

I first heard this piece on Woody Allen's Love and Death and have hummed the melodies ever since. Another memorable encounter was Frederic Chiu performing his transcription on St. Paul Sunday. Who else remembers that radio program? It's included in Chiu's Harmonia Mundi recording of the complete sonatas. I've enjoyed the Abbado in the past and thank you for the other tips. The percussion explanation was quite interesting!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

You're quite welcome.

[@richardwilliams473]

I agree with you ,David about the proper technique in playing those incessant Sleigh Bells ! I have the exact same Sleigh Bells as you show in your video. Regards, Richard ( Timpanist )

[@AlexMadorsky]

I found myself listening to Hermann Scherchen’s Kije this morning. I think it equals or betters the worthy recordings you name here. Scherchen gives Kije a strong rhythmic, percussive spine without obscuring exciting tunefulness. And the disc comes paired with a great Scythian Suite, plus Khachaturian’s Gayane.

[@melissaking6019]

I agree with you about the wonderful Abbado recording. But Ormandy's Troika in the 1974 recording is a sparkling, vibrant sleigh ride. He gets the texture just right.

[@d.mavridopoulos66]

Mr. Hurwitz, could you please do a talk on the Alexander Nevsky cantata ? I've been going through your archive. Truly grateful for all the analyses and recommendations.

[@allthisuselessbeauty-kr7]

Thanks for the fascinating sleigh bells insight! I like Boult's version with the Paris Conservatoire on Decca. The musicians really sound drunk at the beginning of the Troika (maybe they were). Please do something on The Love of Three Oranges Suite.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

"Oranges" is easy: Ormany again! (Well, mostly).

[@allthisuselessbeauty-kr7]

Mostly? I've always enjoyed Walter Weller's on Decca. He really gets fantastic gutsy playing from the LPO (not always a given for them). He really rips into the 'Escape' music!

[@josephdiluzio6719]

Joe Deegan is right. The Eugene ormandy Columbia recording is indeed brilliant sweeping the listener along. The RCA in a way while less brilliant is subtler and interpretively even more profound perhaps.

[@Elvenraad]

Great review again! I have a request. Can you do a 'repetoir' of Symphony No. 4 of Charles Ives? I'm very curious to know what's your favorite (and least) recording(s).

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Ives 4 is coming!

[@Elvenraad]

@@DavesClassicalGuide Fantastic! I'm looking forward to that! :-)

[@williamrobinson6059]

Is the Pictures pair on the Reiner recording /the/ Pictures? That recording (on different album) was one of my first acquisitions. I had no idea who Reiner, Mussorgsky, or Ravel were. Lucky me!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I'm not sure I understand the question.

[@williamrobinson6059]

David Hurwitz The album of Reiner’s you brought up also contains a Pictures at an Exhibition recording. Is the Pictures recording on that album Reiner’s famous Pictures recording, or is some other recording I don’t know about?

[@giacomofirpo2477]

Thank you! Also Sting used the tune from Lieutenant Kiže for a well-known song :D...anyway, Leinsdorf with Boston Symphony play the version with voice (with a good baritone), but you have reason: without voice is much better! What about Yuri Simonov & The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra? I love his performance of Kiže!

[@jfddoc]

I believe Szell did have a sense of humor, but more of the ironic and sarcastic variety. He picks that up in his Haydn symphony recordings, and he does the same with the two "Musical Fables."

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Agreed

[@presbyterosBassI]

Szell REALLY gets the joke in Haydn 93.

[@damiangruszczynski7451]

Interesting - there are only american orchestras in Kije in your review /CO, CSO twice, PO/ :-)

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

You know, I never even think about such things.

[@damiangruszczynski7451]

David Hurwitz :-)

[@charlieclark983]

The Walton is brilliant. Don't dismiss the movie; hear the score in context. Now, do consider a piece on L"Eventail de Jeanne, various composers writing a ballet score, with a WONDERFUL fanfare by Ravel.

[@michaelsamerdyke108]

I love the Szell version, but I will look up the others as well. "Troika" is one of my favorite melodies.

[@josephdiluzio6719]

Carissimo Davide, How I enjoy the summaries of yours. This one on Prokofiev's wonderful Lieutenant begins with your correct comparison of Reiner with Szell. My only disagreement is again about the latter conductor's lack of humor ( which you correctly acknowledge) that for me almost invariably translates into stiffness and overly percussive music making.

[@mlutzweiler]

Hi David, so nice to hear and see you - happy to meet you again soon back in the US - how is all? Drop me an email, if you want at [e-mail] - all best, matthias