Prokofiev Symphonies Nos. 2 and 4 (second version)

Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra

20,9928,49
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Original Recording Format: DXD
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The Dutch composer, music journalist and novelist Elmer Schonberger once described the Second Symphony as a sub-genre of a primarily psychological nature, albeit with considerable stylistic consequences: in a first symphony, a composer will more or less reflect the traditions from which he comes, and in a second he will deliberately break away from them.

Prokofiev’s Second, composed eight years after the First, appears to be a defiant ode to the modern era, witnessed by the layers of mechanically persistent rhythms, expressionist harmonies, ostensibly unfathomable forms and its very expansive take on tonality. The work was premiered in Paris in 1925, conducted by Serge Koussevitsky.

Prokofiev decided to revise his Fourth Symphony, Op. 47, after the successful premieres of his Fifth and Sixth Symphonies. The original four movements remained largely intact, but the changes say a great deal about his style at that point. The first alteration was to insert or expand some passages that were predominantly reflective, with a strong emphasis on melody. Another example is the attempt to align the scale more closely with what was required by Social Realism, in which the neo-classical is overlaid with a considerable dose of heroism and sometimes even bombast. The association of Op. 112 with Social Realism subsequently proved to be an obstacle to its acceptance in the West.

Once again, James Gaffigan interprets these works with incredible candor and dazzling aplomb.

Tracklist

Please note that the below previews are loaded as 44.1 kHz / 16 bit.
1.
Symphony No. 2, Op. 40 in D Minor - Allegro ben articolato
11:26
2.
Symphony No. 2, Op. 40 in D Minor - Theme - Andante
01:50
3.
Symphony No. 2, Op. 40 in D Minor - Variation 1 - L?istesso tempo
02:23
4.
Symphony No. 2, Op. 40 in D Minor - Variation 2 - Allegro non troppo
02:45
5.
Symphony No. 2, Op. 40 in D Minor - Variation 3 - Allegro
02:06
6.
Symphony No. 2, Op. 40 in D Minor - Variation 4 - Larghetto
05:02
7.
Symphony No. 2, Op. 40 in D Minor - Variation 5 - Allegro con brio
02:43
8.
Symphony No. 2, Op. 40 in D Minor - Variation 6 - Allegro moderato
04:36
9.
Symphony No. 2, Op. 40 in D Minor - Theme
01:55
10.
Symphony No. 4 (second version) Op. 112 in C Major - Andante ? Allegro eroico
12:37
11.
Symphony No. 4 (second version) Op. 112 in C Major - Andante tranquillo
09:28
12.
Symphony No. 4 (second version) Op. 112 in C Major - Moderato, quasi allegretto
05:46
13.
Symphony No. 4 (second version) Op. 112 in C Major - Allegro risoluto
10:25

Total time: 01:13:02

Additional information

Label

SKU

CC72779

Qualities

Channels

, ,

Artists

Composers

Genres

Cables

Siltech Mono-Crystal Cabling

Digital Converters

dCS, Merging Technologies

Loudspeakers

Avalon Acoustics

Mastering Engineer

Bert van der Wolf

Microphones

Sonodore

Conductors

Original Recording Format

Producer

Bert van der Wolf

Recording Engineer

Bert van der Wolf – Northstar Recording Services BV

Recording location

Studio 5, Muziekcentrum van de Omroep, Hilversum, The Netherlands – Symphony 2 – 23-25 August 2016 – Symphony 4 – 2-4 March 2015

Recording Type & Bit Rate

DSD 64

Release DateJuly 20, 2018

Press reviews

Positive Feedback

For me, this symphony really works—it’s captivating and memorable. And it’s among my favorite two or three symphonies by Prokofiev. The opening movement is filled with orchestral color, intensity, violence, and urgency. The dissonances are challenging yet quite invigorating. Some may think this pure noise, but it’s a “noise” I find myself really enjoying—chaotic, but an intentional and organized chaos. Give it some volume when you play it and enjoy the ride.

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