Search - Sergey Prokofiev, Nicolai Malko, Philharmonia Orchestra of London :: Prokofiev: The Love of Three Oranges - Suite; Symphonies Nos. 1 & 7

The Classic "Classical" & More

Michael B. Richman | Portland, Maine USA | 01/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was delighted to recently discover that copies of this CD still remained on Amazon. Nicolai Malko's Prokofiev recordings have been hailed by critics and fans alike since they were made at the dawn of the stereo age in 1955. Walter Legge used Malko sparingly with the Philharmonia Orchestra, and largely to record Russian fare, yet all of the performances I have encountered whether on his title in the "Great Conductors of the Century" series (see my review), or his Testament CD are all fabulous. The Love of Three Oranges Suite and the 7th Symphony (which appears on the aforementioned GCOTC set BTW) are wonderful, but as good as they are, it is the 1st Symphony that is the true star here -- it is THE classic "Classical." Get this Malko/Prokofiev disc while you can."

One of the best Prokofiev recordings at any price

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 04/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't add much to Mr. Richman's justified rave. When the name of Nicolai Malko appeared in EMI's Great Conductors of the Twentieth Century, I had honestly never heard of him. The first acquaintiance was eye-opening. In Prokofiev, Malko is vital, imaginative, and totally assured. Prokofiev's idiom is about roughness and tenderness, wit and satire. Those aren't qualities we associate with standard-issue greatness. Therefore, prokofiev's msic gets treated to readings that are merely witty, rough, gentle, or satiric. Combining the mixture, as Malko, Temirkanov, and Gergiev do -- just to touch on three personal favorites -- makes the best case for Prokofiev as a complete and therefore great composer.



These mid-Fifties recordings hold up remarkably well, even in their guise as budget throwaways from the EMI archives. The soundstage is wide, the orchestra vividly captured in every section. I'm not sure that this is "the" classical Sym., but it's a great one, played larger than usual, as Russians are wont to do -- they don't see this as flimsy toy music. The Sym. #7 has become Malko's signature recording and an acknowledged classic. Prokofiev had a drastic falling off in powers aftr WW II because of a head injury suffered after a fall, and the Seventh isn't strong from beginning to end. Like the Fourth, it could pass as a suite. but in Malko's hands the weakanesses are painted over, which is all that one can ask.



In short, this is a budget release that counts among the very best Prokofiev recordings in print."