It's no Alexander Nevsky, but Prokofiev's Ivan the Terrible still puts on one heck of a show. Both works were originally conceived and executed as film scores, but while Nevsky has the advantage of having been turned into a cantata by the composer himself, Ivan was turned into an oratorio after the composer's death by Abram Stasevich. So while the music for Ivan may or may not be the equal of the music for Nevsky -- and the argument could easily go either way -- the dramatic cogency of Nevsky the cantata is far superior to ...
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It's no Alexander Nevsky, but Prokofiev's Ivan the Terrible still puts on one heck of a show. Both works were originally conceived and executed as film scores, but while Nevsky has the advantage of having been turned into a cantata by the composer himself, Ivan was turned into an oratorio after the composer's death by Abram Stasevich. So while the music for Ivan may or may not be the equal of the music for Nevsky -- and the argument could easily go either way -- the dramatic cogency of Nevsky the cantata is far superior to Ivan the oratorio. In the right performance, however, Ivan can be extremely impressive, and this performance by Valery Gergiev is easily the most impressive performance of the digital era. Although recorded with the Rotterdam Philharmonic -- Gergiev's other orchestra -- the Dutch players really put their backs into their work and the result is a spectacularly successful orchestral performance of staggering might and stunning majesty. Of course, part of the reason for this success is...
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Add this copy of Prokofiev: Ivan the Terrible ~ Gergiev / Kirov Opera to cart. $6.23, like new condition, Sold by Dream Books Co. rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Denver, CO, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Philips.
Add this copy of Prokofiev: Ivan the Terrible ~ Gergiev / Kirov Opera to cart. $8.81, good condition, Sold by Theophilus Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Knoxville, TN, UNITED STATES, published 2006 by Philips.
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Good. CD, jewel case, and inserts all in very good condition except for some light soiling on the rear liner note. Buy with confidence. Guaranteed skip free or your money refunded.