Prokofiev: Romeo & Juliet - Highlights
Rather than play any single complete suite (of the three) that Prokofiev  extracted from the complete ballet, Myung-Whun Chung makes his own  selection of numbers, roughly following the plot line and including music  representative of all the major characters. Although some other collections offer  more music, this hour ofRomeo and Julietmakes a satisfying  presentation on its own. What makes the performance special is the spectacular  playing of the Dutch orchestra. Frankly, it's never been done better. From the  whiplash virtuosity of the violins to the bite of the trombones and the firm thud of  the bass drum, this is the sound the composer must have dreamed of.--David Hurwitz