The cantata that Prokofiev made of his score for Eisenstein's film Alexander Nevsky has long been recognized as an effective piece of programmatic music. In recent years there has been new interest in old films, and Nevsky... more »--actually a very heavy-handed anti-German propaganda piece--is no exception. Unfortunately, the soundtrack was utterly dreadful, recorded with the worst of Soviet technology (which is saying something), and badly performed by a small ensemble. John Goberman, the executive producer of this disc, and orchestrator William D. Brohn reconstructed the score from the cantata and from the original soundtrack itself. The result is both impressive and instructive, although unlikely to replace the cantata in the hearts of most listeners. This disc is an enhanced CD, with CD-ROM aspects that are among the best produced in the classical music field to date. Chief among the enhancements is a clip of scenes from the movie that makes it look much better than it actually is. This disc is a winner in every respect. --Sarah Bryan Miller« less
The cantata that Prokofiev made of his score for Eisenstein's film Alexander Nevsky has long been recognized as an effective piece of programmatic music. In recent years there has been new interest in old films, and Nevsky--actually a very heavy-handed anti-German propaganda piece--is no exception. Unfortunately, the soundtrack was utterly dreadful, recorded with the worst of Soviet technology (which is saying something), and badly performed by a small ensemble. John Goberman, the executive producer of this disc, and orchestrator William D. Brohn reconstructed the score from the cantata and from the original soundtrack itself. The result is both impressive and instructive, although unlikely to replace the cantata in the hearts of most listeners. This disc is an enhanced CD, with CD-ROM aspects that are among the best produced in the classical music field to date. Chief among the enhancements is a clip of scenes from the movie that makes it look much better than it actually is. This disc is a winner in every respect. --Sarah Bryan Miller
CD Reviews
Greatest film score, lovingly re-created. BUT. . .
Lawrence H. Passmore | Havertown, PA United States | 04/14/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I regard Nevsky as the finest film score yet written, and this is a wonderful recording of it. But I do NOT recommend this AUDIO CD -- instead I suggest buying the DVD or VHS tape of the film from which this soundtrack is taken: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/6303387918/o/qid=955735453/sr=2-1/102-0025184-3830407The audio CD is an offshoot product of a project headed by John Goberman which lovingly re-created the music of the original Nevsky 1938 film soundtrack. Only the full score of the Nevsky CANTATA (comprising 7 of the film's 18 musical sections) existed in the 1980s when the effort began. The remaining film-only sections were painstakingly reconstructed by listening to the film's original atrociously-recorded soundtrack, and re-writing the music note by note for full orchestra (etc.). The video, with the old dialogue soundtrack dovetailed with this new Temirkanov-led re-recording, is a thrill to watch. And it's a cinematic hoot, too! Interspersed with the genius of Director Sergei Eisenstein and composer Prokofiev is occasional wacky (subtitled) Bolskevik-inspired anti-capitalist (and anti-German) dialogue, even though the story is set in the 13th century. But the propaganda, plus the silly love-triangle sub-plot, only add to the charm of this dated but magnificent film.Want to skip the movie? Consider buying one of the audio CDs of the Nevsky CANTATA (Prokofiev's own concert version of the film music). I'm going to try out the Abbado recording, which has been well reviewed.But for the ULTIMATE thrill, get your local orchestra to bring Temirkanov in to conduct the LIVE version WITH THE FILM. We have been fortunate here in Philadelphia to have had 2 such performances in the last 12 years -- full orchestra, chorus, and soloist. Can't beat it!"
Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky/Yuri Temirkanov
Lawrence H. Passmore | 12/04/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Having heard been treated to a performance of this work with film by the Philadelphia Orchestra, Temirkanov conducting I purchased this CD in '97. It was great that this enhanced CD had commentary, played the music and let you view some of the video. It was great educationally. Now it is technologically out dated. It will not play on newer computers Window or Mac, since it only works under QT 2 and it will not play on my DVD player that has replaced my CD player."
Good, but not the best Nevsky recording.
Lawrence H. Passmore | 07/30/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is good, and if you want the multimedia, you won't find it on other recordings.Only one complaint, but it's major: The shrieking violins that are heard as the Germans ride across the frozen lake are treated as an accent to the bassoons and the rest of the orchestra. They are almost in the background. They should be right out in front, good and loud, sending chills down your spine! This is the only recording of Nevsky I have heard treat it that way, and if you've grown up hearing it the "right" way, it's a bit anticlimactic.If you put a good recording of this in, and drive on an uncrowded freeway, check your speedometer half-way through the ride across the lake. Mine's usually around 90!"
Powerful. Russian music at its best.
Dr. Steven Karataglidis | Santa Fe, New Mexico | 11/27/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For lovers of Russian music, this CD of the complete Alexander Nevsky as written for the film is a must. The recording by RCA is of demonstration quality and the performance is first rate. Follow this with the video release of the film with this performance in the soundtrack, as was originally done."
Fun
R. Albin | Ann Arbor, Michigan United States | 05/11/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of, if the not the greatest, film score ever written. This CD presents a reconstruction of Prokofiev's original score for the famous Eisenstein film. In the film, the music accentuates beautifully many of the striking scenes presented by Eisenstein's team. Markedly nationalistic, Germanophobic, and anti-clerical, Alexander Nevsky is both a typical product of the that period of Soviet history and a real artistic achievement. This is not, however, some of Prokofiev's best music. While it is very good, much of Alexander Nevsky music is exactly that, good but not great. This must have been a deliberate choice on Prokofiev's part; really great music might have overpowered the scences in the movie. As suggested by several prior reviewers, the best way to hear this music would be in conjunction with the film."
Track Listings (19) - Disc #1