PROKOFIEV, Sergei (1891-1953)

     Alexander Nevsky, Op.78

        Ancerl, Czech Phil., Soukupova             Supraphon 111948
        Reiner, Chicago Sym., Elias (Sung in English)     RCA 60176

        This is a  Cantata  based on the  soundtrack that Prokofiev
composed  to Eisenstein's film of 1938. Reiner conducted  the  only
recording  of this work sung in English, and received in 1960  very
good  sound  from  RCA. Supraphon gave to Ancerl  in  1962  supperb
engineering,  with  presence, brilliance  and  space  that  remains
unmatched ever since.

     Peter and the Wolf, Op. 67

        Abbado, Ch.Orch.of Europe, Sting (narrator)  (LD) DG 073201
                                                     (CD) DG 429396
        Dorati, Royal Phil., Sean Connery (narrator)  London 444104

        This 'musical tale for children' is  here represented by  a
video  with  puppetry  alegoric  images,  and  a  studio  recording
narrated  by the famous Sean Connery. This work is an original  and
successful idea, recommended for children 'of all ages'.

     Symphony No.1 in D, Op. 25 "Classical"

        Abbado, Ch.Orch.of Europe + Peter            (LD) DG 073201
                                                     (CD) DG 429396
        Jarvi, Scottish Nat. Orch. + Sym. No.4         Chandos 8400

        Chandos  gave to Prokofiev's  most performed work  stunning
digital  sound. DG did the same for Abbado here. This work  with  a
prophetic title must be present in any good collection.

        PUCCINI, Giacomo (1858-1924)

     La Boheme - Opera (1896)

        Karajan, La Scala                            (LD) DG 072205
          Freni, Raimondi, Panerai                 no CD available
        Karajan, Berlin Phil.                   2 CDs London 421049
          Freni, Pavarotti, Panerai        (excerpts) London 421245

        The video is a movie of 1967  directed by Franco Zeffirelli
with  the  singers acting, not a stage production, that  shows  how
well  a good Opera fits to the cinema. In 1972 Decca had the  first
opportunity  to record The Berlin Philharmonic and  to  that  event
they mobilize a task force of two producers; Ray Minshull and James
Mallinson, and three engineers; Gordon Parry, James Lock and  Colin
Moorfoot.  With Pavarotti at his zenith, just to mention  the  most
famous  in  the cast, the energy they captured in the Kirche-Studio
was too much for the vinil, but now on CD it shows all its glory.

     Tosca - Opera (1900)

        Sinopoli, Metropolitan Opera            (LD) Pioneer 86-158
          Behrens, Domingo, MacNeil              CD not available
        Pretre, Paris Cons. Orch.                       Angel 69974
          Callas, Bergonzi, Gobbi

        Zeffirelli  in  1985  directed a stage production  of  this
Opera,  recorded live by Pioneer. Angel produced a studio recording
in  1965 with Callas in ample stereo sound and Bergonzi in the most
moving performance of 'E lucevan le stelle'.

© Copyright 2000 Amilcar Schiappe Pereira          End of section P