Sergei Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky
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Free Music Notes for Sergei Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky
Free Music Review: Greatest film score, lovingly re-created. BUT. . .
Hit: 5 Stars
I regard Nevsky as the finest film score yet written, and this is a wonderful recording of it. But I do NOT recommend this AUDIO CD -- instead I suggest buying the DVD or VHS tape of the film from which this soundtrack is taken: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/6303387918/o/qid=955735453/sr=2-1/102-0025184-3830407The audio CD is an offshoot product of a project headed by John Goberman which lovingly re-created the music of the original Nevsky 1938 film soundtrack. Only the full score of the Nevsky CANTATA (comprising 7 of the film's 18 musical sections) existed in the 1980s when the effort began. The remaining film-only sections were painstakingly reconstructed by listening to the film's original atrociously-recorded soundtrack, and re-writing the music note by note for full orchestra (etc.). The video, with the old dialogue soundtrack dovetailed with this new Temirkanov-led re-recording, is a thrill to watch.
And it's a cinematic hoot, too! Interspersed with the genius of Director Sergei Eisenstein and composer Prokofiev is occasional wacky (subtitled) Bolskevik-inspired anti-capitalist (and anti-German) dialogue, even though the story is set in the 13th century. But the propaganda, plus the silly love-triangle sub-plot, only add to the charm of this dated but magnificent film.
Want to skip the movie? Consider buying one of the audio CDs of the Nevsky CANTATA (Prokofiev's own concert version of the film music). I'm going to try out the Abbado recording, which has been well reviewed.
But for the ULTIMATE thrill, get your local orchestra to bring Temirkanov in to conduct the LIVE version WITH THE FILM. We have been fortunate here in Philadelphia to have had 2 such performances in the last 12 years -- full orchestra, chorus, and soloist. Can't beat it!
Free Music Review: The Best of the Alexander Nevsky Recordings on the Market !!!
Hit: 5 Stars
OK, a crash course in Alexander Nevsky 101. It was written for the soundtrack of a magnificent 1938 film. There are two versions of the music, (1) performances of the movie soundtrack score and (2) performances of a cantata or suite that Prokofiev wrote summarizing the movie score. This CD has the soundtrack score, not just the cantata.
A recording of Yuri Temirkinov and the St. Petersburg Philharmonic is THE Alexander Nevsky CD to own, regardless of what other versions you may already have in your library. The highly-regarded recordings of the 20th century sound a bit tired and dated compared to these presentations by Temirkinov and his performers!
Also, because this was recorded specifically to upgrade the sound for a new release of the movie, you'll probably get a few sound effects thrown in here and there (swordplay, etc.). I say "probably" because there are multiple releases of this Temirkinov performance, and I have yet to figure out what the differences are. In today's marketplace, RCA has a 1995 CD, a 1996 "enhanced" CD (I own this one) and a 2004 "remastered" CD.
FWIW, for the cantata (not the soundtrack score) the Alexander Nevsky recording to own is the magnificent 2003 recording from Philips, by Conductor Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky (Kirov) Ballet Theater Orchestra, also from St. Petersburg. Temirkinov and Gergiev are both razor-sharp interpreters of Prokofiev's theatrical music!
Interesting but not surprising that today's two finest Alexander Nevsky recordings should both come from the musicians of St. Petersburg.
Free Music Review: Prokofiev's great film score
Hit: 5 Stars
Sergei Prokofiev's "Alexander Nevsky" score is well worth hearing for the material left out of the cantata. Admittedly, the cantata contains all the important parts of the music and is more disciplined in form. It also contains a unique revision in the "Battle on the Ice" movement.
But if you can live without that revision (and you can), there's a more enjoyable quality to hearing the full score. For one thing, the pace is more relaxed. In the cantata, the battle music seems too crowded and crammed together. In the score it is stretched out. The cantata also lacks the very interesting percussion music that accompanies Nevsky as he fights the leader of the Tartars.
Some of the music is repeated, because that is how it worked out on film. On CD this may be somewhat unecessary, but it's not a big deal anyhow. But there's more to enjoy than to critisize. Especially for someone new to classical music, this CD will make a great impact.
Free Music Review: A Landmark Film Score
Hit: 5 Stars
The 'Alexander Nevsky' film score by Sergei Prokofiev for the Sergei Eisenstein film of the same name is a great combination of musical and cinematic arts. I'm reluctant to say this is the best known original film score around, as that honor may go to the haunting Zither work on 'The Third Man', but this one is certainly close.
Part of the score's reknown is probably due to the prominant part it played in a long running PBS promo from a few years back. But the placement there is certainly attributable to Prokofiev's great talent.
I confess I have not heard any other recordings of this work, as other reviewers have, but to those amateurs out there who just listen to enjoy, this CD is a major find, to which you will return often.
Free Music Review: This is hard-core classical.
Hit: 5 Stars
If you are looking for some serious Russian classical music, look no farther then Alexander Nevsky. This is some of the most powerful music I have ever heard. Prokofiev combines the light dances of Russian folk music with heavy warlike themes of the Russian warriors. I give this CD my highest recommandation.