I can’t think of a single work by Prokofiev that I don’t like.

Welcome to ‘Dodd’s DSD Discoveries’, a review series from NativeDSD Senior Music Reviewer Bill Dodd. This series focuses on Bill’s latest selections, with new reviews regularly.

Everybody knows Prokofiev’s ballets, and his 5^th Symphony. I can’t think of a single work by Prokofiev that I don’t like.

Well… there is an opera that takes some effort.

The Fiery Angel was commissioned in the early 1920s, but not performed in its entirety until after Prokofiev’s death. There is (to my knowledge) only one complete recording of that opera, with Neeme Jarvi conducting. As I said, it takes some effort. In 1929 Prokofiev had a brilliant idea, he “reinvented” a lot of the music from the opera in his Symphony No. 3. The result is outstanding. It’s symphonic in structure, and it’s bold. But it’s as accessible as his later ballets. Noseda’s Prokofiev Symphony No.3 has become one of my favourites. Big, flamboyant, but always involving. Sample the tracks and download the liner notes. The recording is first class!

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