Prokofiev: Scythian Suite

There are plenty of fine performances of Alexander Nevsky available on CD and a handful of the Scythian Suite as well, but this pairing is thrilling in the extreme with sonics which allow us to hear every bit of Prokofievs 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 Prokofievs 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 Borodinas gorgeous mezzo-soprano is used alternately with fervor and sensitivity, and, while the competition is fierce, it must be said that shes 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