Search - Sergey Prokofiev, Mikhail Pletnev, Russian National Orchestra :: Prokofiev: Cinderella

The Standard Recording

D. A Wend | Buffalo Grove, IL USA | 11/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Recordings of the complete Cinderella ballet are few, so this recording filled a big gap in the record catalog. I was familiar with the ballet from an excellent old LP recording put out by Angel/Melyodia. This recording by the Russian National Symphony became my replacement, and it is a very worthy successor. The ballet was written during 1941 but was not completed until after World War II. The orchestration is not as opulent as Romeo and Juliet, closer in spirit to Tchaikovsky's ballets. The most famous music is the Cinderella waltz, which is often included on Prokofiev recordings as filler. But make no mistakes; this ballet is filled with wonderful and unforgettable melodies. Cinderella was performed on November 21, 1945 to great acclaim. However, the popularity of the ballets follows in the wake of Romeo.



The recording also includes a suite from the comic opera Betrothal in a Monastery going under the name Summer Night. It is a charming 5 movement suite that contains all of the best music from the opera. It makes a wonderful addition to the CD set.



This recording could not be better and has been named by Gramophone magazine as among its specially recommended essential recordings. Mikhail Pletnev does a superb job as conductor and the recording is clear and well-balanced. Tempos are excellent throughout the recording and the Russian National responds beautifully to the demands of the music's color and shading. The booklet accompanying the record includes a synopsis of the action and a track by track explanation of the action. This recording is a must have for anyone interested in Prokofiev's music and in ballet music.

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A glossy performance that never catches fire

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 09/23/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I have never been convinced that the pianist-turned-conductor Mikhail Pletnev was first rate. He belongs with Barenboim, Ashkenazy, and Rostropovich among great musicians who aren't to the manner born on the podium. Everything in this Cinderella is well executed, but the passion, wit, and sardonic point of the music is mostly missed. If only it didn't sound so glib. Ashkenzy is better on Decca, but we are still waiting for a cincerella performed as well as the best versions of Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, his masterpiece in ballet form."