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CHAN 10519
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CHAN 10519

Prokofiev: The Queen of Spades/ On Guard for Peace

Released Date:
01 May 2009

Originally recorded in 2008
Artists:

Royal Scottish National Orchestra


Neeme Jarvi


Niall Docherty

boy soprano

Irina Tchistjakova

mezzo-soprano and narrator

Royal Scottish National Orchestra Junior Chorus


Royal Scottish National Orchestra Chorus



Venue:

Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow



Producer:

Brian Pidgeon



Engineer:

Ralph Couzens


Jonathan Cooper

(Assistant)
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Total Time - 55:27
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SERGEI PROKOFIEV

(1891-1953)
   
premiere recording
  Symphonic Suite adapted from  
 

The Queen of Spades

 32:11  
  Rediscovered music from an unreleased film score  
  Arranged and elaborated by Michael Berkeley (b. 1948)  
1 I Introduction and Allegro 9:38
2 II Adagio 4:51
3 III Scherzo - 2:19
4 IV Finale - 11:26
5 (leading into Epilogue: Dumka 3:50)
   
 

On Guard for Peace, Op. 124

 33:40  
  An oratorio in ten movements  
  Original text by Samuil Marshak (1950)  
6 I Scarce has the Earth recovered 2:25
7 II Those who are ten today 2:01
8 III Stalingrad - City of Glory 2:35
9 IV Let enduring peace on Earth be the heroes' reward 2:25
10 V We do not want war 2:32
11 VI Dove of Peace 2:25
12 VII Lullaby 6:30
13 VIII At the Festival of Peace 4:34
14 IX Radio conversation 2:34
15 X The whole world is ready for war against war 5:38
 Irina Tchistjakova mezzo-soprano and narrator
 Niall Docherty boy soprano
Symphonic Fragments from The Queen of Spades, as arranged and elaborated by Michael Berkeley, coupled with the seldom performed oratorio On Guard for Peace – Neeme Järvi conducts the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, in this their twenty-second Prokofiev recording for Chandos.

In 1936 Prokofiev was commissioned to write the score for Mikhail Romm’s film The Queen of Spades. Stalin’s directives put an end to the project and the film was never realised; consequently Prokofiev’s score was left unheard, and in the case of some numbers unorchestrated. In 2007/2008 Michael Berkeley was commissioned to complete the score for a ballet at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, titled Rushes and performed in 2008. This arrangement gave Prokofiev’s music viable dramatic shape, though independent of the original film plot. The Symphonic Fragments recorded here return to and elaborate further upon the surviving film music material to create an extended suite for the concert hall.

Berkeley describes his work as follows: ‘I think the best phrase is that I have “arranged and elaborated” what Prokofiev wrote. It has a wonderful energy and rhythm. Yes, of course it has a film-music feel, but it also has this obsessive quality.’

It is coupled here with Prokofiev’s final politically motivated work, and the last of his choral compositions, the stirring oratorio On Guard for Peace.

“Two very cinematic scores from Prokofiev: one is real movie-music, a realisation by Michael Berkeley of the Russian composer’s unfinished sketches for a film of The Queen of Spades. Crisply performed, it is full of the typically side-stepping harmonies and dry humour you’d expect. The oratorio On Guard for Peace has a ‘big tune’ that hooks into your ear….. there’s an enticingly light touch to the music. The well-drilled non-Russian choir is convincing, the boy soprano’s sweet rich sound is impressive and the dark-voiced Slavic mezzo provides a fabulously throaty narration.”

Emma Baker


Classic FM Magazine - August 2009

“The performance is a good one, and the sound is excellent. As the only recording of Queen of Spades, this is a must for Prokofiev fans”

American Record Guide

“…The performances lack nothing for sheen, professionalism, or spirit, Jarvi is in good form, leading with concentration and fervor … The Royal Scottish National Orchestra  Chorus and Junior Chorus sing with admirable control of dynamics and expressiveness. Niall Docherty does the honours as boy soprano in a thoroughly professional manner.”    

Barry Brenesal

 

Fanfare - November/December 2009



*****
T Janus

*****
R Joffre