Repertoire: The BEST Versions of Prokofiev--Romeo and Juliet

[@jockmoron]

I had not heard of Ancerl before watching this video. I checked him up on Wiki (where else). Born to a prosperous Jewish family, he became a survivor of Auschwitz, when his wife and son died in the gas chamber. Then in 1968 he fled to Canada after Russia's invasion of his homeland. His life after the war was basically a miracle. That he would then demonstrate the tragicality (I know this isn't actually an English noun, but it should be) of Prokofiev's score and Shakespear's writing better than any other conductor perhaps is not then surprising. PS With my wife, I am attending the NZ Ballet's production of this work being staged in my nearby city of Wellington on Saturday 6th May 2023. I have not seen it or even heard the music before (other than Dance of the Knights) so I think we're in for a real treat.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Have fun!

[@JoeDeRosa]

Dave, I must admit being partial to Muti and the Philadephia's recording of the suite, having heard it in a subscription concert just prior to the LP's release, which ranks as one of my favorite Philadelphia Orchestra concerts of all time (tied with Muti's Carmina Burana). But after hearing the brief Czech Philharmonic sample you played, I simply MUST get my hands on Ancerl's recording! A little anecdote about the Philly version, courtesy of a friend who has played cello in the orchestra: Since shortly after he succeeded Eugene Ormandy, Muti made it abundantly clear that the Academy of Music was a wonderful concert venue, but from the standpoint of recording, it was horrendously dry. He began to sample alternative recording venues, starting with the old Centennial Exposition hall, which turned out to be a reverberation nightmare. Shortly afterward, he discovered the old Philadelphia Opera House in North Philadelphia, which at the time was being utilized as a church. Although the opera house had fallen into disrepair. he fell in love with the its acoustics and got permission from the church to set up recording facilities. Romeo and Juliet was one of the first recording to utilize that facility. My friend recalled that the string players became concerned about the condition of their instruments, because whenever the orchestra hit a fortissimo, plaster dust would filter down and coat the players and their instruments! Despite this, the opera house served as the venue for some of the Philly's best recordings under Muti, including The Rite Of Spring, the Franck Symphony in D minor, and the Scriabin cycle. Thank you again Dave, for all that you do to stimulate enthusiasm for classical music!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Thank YOU for the insider info!

[@robertedwards3654]

That final scream of pain, that scream of 'why?' - devastating!

[@melodymaker135]

The heavy slow dissonant intro to the Knights’ Dance in the suite version is the bomb

[@rev.peterschiefelbein5638]

Thanks for the heads up on Ozawa and Boston. I had Maazel as my chief pick before, but find myself really enjoying Ozawa. That so many conductors can find something new to say is a testimony to how great a work of art it truly is.

[@melodymaker135]

Our tastes are again aligned Dave: this is one of the greatest things Prokofiev ever wrote

[@Mogpops2]

There's been remasterings of the Rozhdestvensky recording and it sounds much better now. Definitely my favourite recording of this ballet. So much character and I love the faster tempo in Juliets death scene, it's definitely a very authentically Russian recording.

[@stephenkeen2404]

Just listened to the Ancerl. I cannot thank you enough for this recommendation.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

You are very welcome. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@denishinds3777]

That Car advert doesn't just sound conceptual, but Freudian too? - Prokofiev's R&J was much popularised in the UK in the 1970's by Andre Previn & the London Symphony Orchestra on their BBC TV Programmes 'Andre Previn's Music Night'. Also, the Dance of the Knights is the tune that Sunderland Football (Soccer) Club come out to at the start of Matches.

[@gyulahunyor8267]

Hi David, thanks for these recommendations, again you are right on the spot with most of them, especially with the Maazel&Ozawa for the complete ballet and Chung&Tilson Thomas for the excerpts. I'd add another one I like, the Dutoit on Decca which somehow went under the radar soon after it appeared though I always felt it was played with great rhythmic acuity, sweeping romantic lines by the superb Montreal orchestra captured in impeccably translucent sound by the superb Decca team.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

i agree about Dutoit--one of his finer efforts and you're right--for some reason it has flown under the radar (including mine!). Thanks for mentioning it.

[@lawrencechalmers5432]

My imprint version of the suites was Ancerl/Czech still a favorite. Next Mitropulos.

[@HassoBenSoba]

I'd like to put in a plug for Edo deWaart's Suite 1 & 2 with the Rotterdam Phil on Phillips; exquisite playing, with lightness, elegance, clarity, depth, richness and drama (Phillips had recently figured out how to deliver a solid BASS range in their recordings). Available in a two-disc set of Profofiev "Favorite Suites". But I must find the Ancerl, since I've always been a big fan of his recordings from the '60's, and the excerpt you played sounds like his typically excellent work. LR

[@BrainiacFingers]

Out of all the versions I've heard, Muti and the Philadelphia's recording is still my absolute favourite. The brass section is spectacular. I also got used to hearing the movements played in that particular order, and I've yet to find another version that follows the same ordering.

[@pauloqueiroz9611]

The Ančerl excerpt is really great! Will check the whole CD

[@chrisjackson1266]

That horn is absolutely incredible in that Ancerl sample at 16:49. The recording I have is the London Symphony under Previn on EMI. 1996. That one is the entire ballet.

[@neilford99]

Maazel was my first :-) Ancerl is definitely "wow". I was struggling to put on finger on why but you nailed it.

[@giveall9695]

I have the Ančerl cd of Supraphon Historical series with classical symphony :) Boy isn't that a lovely-spent hour for an evening?

[@Nikolay76Gogol]

I have several CD versions of Romeo and Juliet - Rozhdestvensky, Ghergiev, Abbado. But it happens that I prefer Ancerl, Supraphone original LP. You are right, expressiveness prevails!

[@pauloqueiroz9611]

Boy, do I agree with you! Agree with the Maazel and the Ozawa! My favorites! Also Suites 1 & 2 with Muti (Yay!) and Philadelphia! Energetic, glittering sound! Wonderful performance. Will check out Paavo Järvi and Tilson Thomas

[@nirgoldenberg5624]

Although I really love prokoffiev, my favorite musical adaptation of the play (other than of course west side story) it Tchaikovsky's. It's short, but it's intense and really beautiful at times. I especially love celibidace, who relishes and enjoys those slow passages, savoring every single note. In prokoffiev, well I like gergiev's version. Gotta have it Russian. And I really love the entrance of the knights at his version.

[@pbarach1]

For the complete ballet, I've always liked Maazel; for the suites, Skrowaczewski/Minnesota is a fantastic recording that was NOT made in that dead Northrup Auditorium. And of course Ancerl, as you mentioned. Now I'll have to check out Chung!

[@denbigh51]

Just hear the introduction and you’re won over to Maazel/Cleveland/Decca ! It was revelation to me at the time. I notice the Cleveland orchestra now have their own label - Look forward to a review in due course.

[@mickeytheviewmoo]

I must say that the Ancerl adds a edgy grip to the music like no other. Fabulous performance i did enjoy it. I listened to a older remaster of the work and it was really poor, so the Gold treatment had definitely improved the sound. Saying that, i did get numerous flaws in the sonics particularly at the climaxes and when the bass drops. I noticed someone recommended the Dutoit/Montreal - (excerpts) and that ticks all the boxes for me. A combination of performance and sound quality. Many thanks

[@james.t.herman]

Yes! Ozawa’s is one of my favorite albums of any orchestral music. Also something I collected early on in my experience of classical music. So glad to hear a critic’s endorsement of it, it was a formative part of my taste in music. I’ll definitely check out Ancerl, as well. What do you think of Ozawa’s Respighi Roman trilogy with Boston? I really like it, and you never hear about it. It’s got almost a kind of swing rhythm to it, not just the pounding march rhythm that usually characterizes conductors’ approaches.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Excellent Respighi.

[@james.t.herman]

The Boston Symphony under Ozawa record of the complete ballet contains some of the finest trumpet playing (cornet playing, actually) that Charles Schlueter, the principal player, ever did. I studied for two years at the U of Wisconsin at Madison, and the professor there once played the record when Schlueter visited, asked him all about it, remarked on the highlights of his performance. It’s a masterclass in trumpet playing all by itself. And the whole orchestra is on, right along with him. They sound magnificent on that record. Magical.

[@adrianosbrandao]

Here in Brazil, Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” and Vivaldi’s “Spring” became associated with soap, because of two very famous TV ads in the 80s. More recently, the scherzo from Ravel’s String Quartet became the luxury car ad music of choice. Go figure.

[@anwla]

Agree with you from the excerpt there by Ancerl. I got into this piece back in the early 2000s, when I picked up a live recording of Suite no. 2 by Mravinsky on Philips with the Leningrad. It was coupled with the Nutcracker suite. I had never heard anything like that. I adored that music deeply and I still do; I think Romeo & Julie is Prokofiev’s best work and probably the greatest work in the 20th century. I then went on and got the full ballet with a recording by Kitajenko with The Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, but I agree with you - suites are the way to go!

[@bluetortilla]

I have a Prokofiev (my fav Russian composer btw) 'Peter & The Wolf' narrated by an American, but the music is from Romeo & Juliet. So I'm not sure what that's all about. 'The Knight's Dance' refrain is played every time the wolf appears. Is it rare? Even people who are not normally classical music lovers seem ta enjoy Prokofiev's 'Romeo and Juliet.'

[@johnwright7749]

Thanks again for a stimulating review despite the TV ads digression! I’ll have to check out Ancerl because everything he did was first-class. In the meantime I’ll stick with Maazel and Ozawa. I don’t find the whole ballet too repetitious or a minute too long.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Waddya mean DESPITE?! That was the whole point! ;)

[@johnwright7749]

David Hurwitz 😆

[@joewebb1983]

Agree with the comment about Ashkenazy's excellent complete recording with the RPO I think. Can't beat Maazel IMHO, but that said, I cannot believe that I haven't heard the Ozawa... I will be investigating that! As for the suites, as you say, there are billions ha! Not familiar with the Ancerl so I will be listening to that shortly, as for the others, agree... MTT's is right up there for me. Regarding the drama and tragedy you talk about w.r.t the Ancerl recording, the four extracts that Stokowski recorded on RCA are worth a mention... Very very very very slow for Juliet's Death but the drama in that big tune, and the playing (at such a slow speed) is incredible. Worth it for the novelty alone!

[@joewebb1983]

Oh yes! Ancerl! The hammer blows during Tybalt's Death and the intensity after that to the end of the scene... Superb!!!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Glad you heard it!

[@johnburlinson6697]

I've noticed that if a piece of classical music is used successfully in a major motion picture, its chances of finding new life in commercials go up astronomically. An example is Shostakovich's Waltz No. 2 from "Suite for Variety Stage Orchestra", which was used to great effect in Stanley Kubrick's last film, "Eyes Wide Shut". Of course, Kubrick was a master at picking apposite music for his films, thus giving new life to composers from Richard Strauss to Franz Schubert.

[@carlos2bass]

Hi David, I,m surprised you didn’t mentioned Rostropovich suites 1&2 with NSO on DG. Slava attended all premiere season performances of the ballet by sneaking in through the back door with his cello, as you know he was very close to Prokofiev.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Don't be surprised. It's mediocre.

[@AlexMadorsky]

Maazel with the Cleveland Orchestra is an exciting, joyous performance of the full ballet, but let’s be honest...2.5 hours is a lot of time to spend on any orchestral work. For the suites, I like Jarvi the Elder, possibly the greatest Prokofiev interpreter alive today. His disc of the Stalinist Cantata for the 20th Anniversary of the October Revolution is a cherished favorite.

[@shostakovich343]

I think there are legitimate reasons to prefer Previn to Maazel. Previn is by far the more balletic of the two -- Maazel's tempi are without exception fast and unyielding -- and more atmospheric. Take the aubade, or morning serenade, from the third act. Maazel races through the music as if it were a morning galop, and although the Cleveland Orchestra easily outperforms the LSO, they sound bright and emotionally uninvolved during these more elegant scenes. Those bleating Gramophone critics were right in this instance to say that the performances are complementary. A choice comes down to personal preference, and Previn really has a lot going for him. Oh, and disclaimer: I am not British.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

You don't have to be British to like Previn. I like Previn; I just have found, over time, that his performance has not worn well considering the competition, and not just Maazel. His Cinderella, on the other hand, I like much better.

[@JamesDavidWalley]

It wasn’t just the reviewers at _Gramophone_ indulging in their usual Previn/LSO cheerleading. When the recordings came out in the early-mid-'70s, I recall the folks at _High Fidelity_ and _Stereo Review_ also proclaiming it a dead heat.

[@johns9624]

Yes! Ancerl and the Czech Phil, one of the first classical lps I bought in 1965 on Music for Pleasure costing about $1.25 and still by far my favourite. He picks all the best music, plays it brilliantly, and the recording is still excellent. Jarvi second, Gergiev on Phillips very Gergievish, indifferent, passable but no more.

[@jerelzoltick6900]

I have lived with Mitropoulos and Maazel for years.. I will listen to Ozawa. And I just ordered the Ancerl.. Have you heartd Muti's version with Chicago?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

www.classicstoday.com/review/mutis-prokofiev-rj-sequel-never-good/?search=1

[@EthanMatthes]

Dave, I continue to enjoy this series very much. Thank you for surveying the R&J offerings. I just ordered the Anceral/Czech from ArkivMusic based on your recommendation. You played my favorite part of the ballet in the Anceral clip. I know you're not a Gergiev fan, but I think his Kirov version (on Philips?) is pretty decent too.

[@barrygray8903]

Great talk, as usual. I have and enjoy the Maazel/Cleveland complete recording, stunning playing and excellent sound. Previn, as you say, is somewhat soft-edged by comparison, but it has its moments. I want to hear Ozawa now. For the suites and/or excerpts my favorites are Muti, MTT, and the incredible Ancerl. After listening to Ancerl's performance for the first time I was emotionally drained and stood up from my seat saying "oh my God!" Until hearing this I never thought of this music as elemental and cathartic; his recording is like no other. Also we have a disc of excerpts by Yoel Levi and the Cleveland Orchestra , on Telarc. Well played, but a bit faceless; the same orchestra plays even better for Maazel. I'm curious about Mitropoulos and plan to seek it out.

[@MegaVicar]

Perfect! I’ve been listening to Prokofiev’s ballet music this week...but I’m most drawn to the score for Cinderella. Got a recommendation for the complete ballet? Ashkenazy? Or an upcoming video?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Ashkenazy is great and my "go to" pick; and it comes with a very fine The Seasons, but you may also want to consider Jurowski on CPO, while Previn's is better than his R&J.

[@Nikolay76Gogol]

‘Cinderella’ is a masterpiece. Multiple layers of associations. These brooding melodies evoke the War when the music was composed.

[@kendavies9991]

Another example of the power of advertising. In the UK, we of a certain age associate the 2nd movement of Dvorak's New World symphony with bread.

[@ftumschk]

Played by a colliery brass-band, and directed by someone called Ridley Scott. Whatever became of him?

[@nb2816]

I've never owned the Previn, but I've heard long stretches and have to agree with you. I have both Ashkenazy and Maazel, and like them both; maybe the Ashkenazy is a little warmer expressively. I have a soft spot and sentimental associations for any of Rozhdestvensky's Prokofiev recordings, sound and all, lol. On the subject of contemporary Russian composers, would you ever consider doing a video devoted to Kapustin?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Absolutely. He was great. I've just got to be able to play samples, because you've got to hear his music.

[@james.1970.o2e]

When are you doing "The BEST" versions of the Tchaikovsky ballets?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

When I learn to dance them.

[@Barbirollifan]

I don't quite agree about the suites vs the full ballet. I absolutely adore every number in this ballet, even if there is some repetition along the way! I am very familiar with both the Previn and Maazel versions but since watching this have been listening to Ozawa and Gergiev's LSO Live one (which you gave a very positive written review of on your site, but don't really mention here-you sort of mention that Gergiev did one). I really, really love the Gergiev! The Ozawa has some beautiful moments for me, but the more I listen, the Gergiev is the one that delivers for me. And it is an added bonus that the SACD sound is so great!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Fair enough!

[@foreverkarajanfan]

Gergiev's LSO Live complete set is my all-time favorite! The performance is simply stunningly beautiful, from the beginning to the end with outstanding orchestra playing and excellent sound: the mood, the lyricism, and the sentimentality. Together, they create a most moving listening experience.

[@bertranddaldy9748]

This video made me look at my version which I bought years ago. I seem to have acquired the suite conducted by Salonen. Should I be trading this one in?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Not if you like it.

[@james.t.herman]

I think I heard The Knights’ Dance for the Olympics or something, too.

[@pierrevigna]

Hello Dave, you did not mention Mravinsky in a live concert on Philips, which for me is as thrilling as Ancerl. Any view on that performance ?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I don't need it.

[@pierrevigna]

I do. And I love your channel and how you share your knowledge and points of view with us. Thank you for that. And please, Keep feeding us !

[@ahartify]

In my country they used the adagietto from Mahler 5 for a laundry detergent advert. Sacrilege, I say!

[@jankucera8180]

Thanks for the review, this music is a matter of true passion to me. The Ančerl's recording is of course where I learned about it (no other was available)... and the Muti/Philadelphia disc has been my favourite CD to test audio equipment, so good I found it (it was an early PCM, bud a good one...). Just a little point: It is a ballet, and a real ballet classic every ballet dancer wants to do - you should see it if you get a chance. The way a theatre orchestra plays it on occasion of a ballet performance would be different from a pure concert performance... (Just FYI, it's premiere took place in Brno, Czechoslovakia.)

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I know. I've seen it several times. The premiere took place in Brno because the Bolshoi rejected the music as "undanceable."

[@jankucera8180]

@@DavesClassicalGuide Thanks for your reply. No doubt you know all this. I thought it might be of some interest to other fellow "visitors" of your channel. :)

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

@@jankucera8180 Thank you.

[@peterhaslund]

Dude, you're funny keep digressing please