Alexander Nevsky / Scythian Suite
There are plenty of fine performances ofAlexander Nevskyavailable on CD and a handful of theScythian Suiteas well, but this pairing is thrilling in the extreme with sonics which allow us to hear every bit of Prokofiev's fascinating, always original scoring. The early Suite, composed for a ballet which was never performed, at times sounds more like Stravinsky than Stravinsky, but has Prokofiev's unique flavor attached. The large percussion section thumps, grinds, and tinkles and the performance is as viscerally exciting as can be.Nevsky, composed for the Eisenstein film of the same name, remains a true masterpiece. The Kirov Orchestra and Chorus have this music in their blood, they play and sing beautifully, and overall they turn in a very moving performance. Olga Borodina's gorgeous mezzo-soprano is used alternately with fervor and sensitivity, and, while the competition is fierce, it must be said that she's the top contender in this music. This is a potent performance of this epic score, and Gergiev is to be commended for his obviously deep understanding.--Robert Levine