PROKOFIEV: Romeo and Juliet

Pics: Great interpretations by Previn and Maazel.

The first question for someone who knows a little about this music is to ask himself whether he wants to have the whole ballet or excerpts of it in the form of suites.

For me the answer is simple. The music is top-drawer Prokofiev and as timeless as Shakespeare's play that so inspired the ballet impressarios. Prokofiev is one of the greatest composers for me, with a color palette second to none, not even Ravel. However, he doesn't sell well, and much of his music is available on the cheap, which benefits us. So, why not get the complete ballet, now on 2 CDs rather than the old 3 LPs. With a complete set, you get the action in sequence and can follow the drama. This you cannot do with the suites, which jumble up the sequences for "musical" purposes. Of course, the best way is to watch the ballet in the theater. I shall never forget the magnificent effort in March 2007 by the HK Ballet in Shatin Town Hall, accompanied beautifully by the HKPO and conducted con amore by Richard Bernas (I went twice).

Andre Previn and the LSO have been criticized for all kinds of things but, one thing is for sure, they know how to "make" love together. Previn knows how to conduct ballets (you can safely get his equally distinguished Tchaikovsky ballets while you're at it) and deliver the important atmosphere to you in your sitting room, while the LSO play with passion, if not always precision. Fortunately, their great music making were more often than not captured in great recordings by the "Two Christophers". Released almost at the same time was another complete version, equally distinguished in both performance and recording, the Cleveland/Maazel. Now, Lorin Maazel is not a conductor that I usually like, but here he plumbs great depth in the tragedy. There is an inexorability in the prceedings, razor sharp in presentation and recording. I'd get both versions, classics of the gramophone, as they are on budget 2fers.

That said, come digital age, 2 versions stand out. Ashkenazy is a vastly under-rated conductor, especially in Sibelius and the Russian works of Rachmaninov, Shostakovich and Prokofiev. Many of his RPO (like here) and Philharmonia recordings (like Sibelius) are excellent performances in resplendent Decca sound. Of course, Kirov/Gergiev brings a special urgency to this music and the characterful Russian sonority makes this a version one should listen to; next to it the "better" Western orchestras may start to seem bland to you!

Now to the suites. There are many good versions, but the justly famous (for hifi buff especially) Mercury issue of Skrowazewski is a good place to start. And, last but not the least, since we talked about Russian performances, how can one neglect the Legendary Lenningrad/Mravinsky? I think there's only Suite 2, and I am not sure where you can get it, but you can certainly hear Mravinsky's interpretation on the internet, and I recommend that you do that (and while you're at it, grab their legendary and harrowing Shostakovich 8th, now budget on Regis!)

This is not meant to be exhaustive. Check out some selected related Music/Video that I think you shall enjoy:

Montagues and Capulets (Mravinsky)
Death of Tybalt (Abbado)
Mravinsky conducts Shostakovich 8th (Brilliant! Sound not bad!)