Search - Mitropoulos, New York Philharmonic Orchestra :: Prokofiev: Concerto No. 3; Lieutenant Kijé; Romeo & Juliette

Startling!

D. J. Zabriskie | Park Ridge, NJ USA | 04/03/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is worth getting, if for no other reason, than to listen to Mitropoulos' startling mounting of the Prokofiev 3rd Piano Concerto as both conductor AND soloist. It is such an astounding display of mastery on both ends that Prokofiev, when he heard Mitropoulos do it, said: "Well, I guess I must compose another concerto. No one could top that!"

The Prokofiev 3rd is full of gnarly contrasts of mood, tempo and dynamics, which require the performers to turn on a dime and head off in an opposite direction frequently. Mitropoulos' great insight here is to envisage these contrasts as representative of the conflict between 19th Century Romanticism and 20th Century Modernism. Dimitri's piano tone is dry and ascerbic, with practically no pedalling. His handling of the block chord passages in the outer movements is positively cubist, revealing architectural detail that no other pianist even explores. Yet, the lyrical passages are as calm and contemplative as can be. If you're used to the way ANYBODY else plays this piece, this one will JAR you!

Meanwhile, Mitropoulos' approach to Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet" has always been full-bodied, vibrant and passionate, and, hence, achingly tragic. This recording may not have sound that is up to today's standards, but the performances are absolutely fresh and startling. They will force you to rethink your conceptions of both these pieces, and that's a good thing."