Great version. Szell had a good grasp of Prokofiev's music, the 3rd Piano Concerto being especially stunning. I saw the movie too; it's really quite funny, a tale of people doing ridiculous things so that the Tsar doesn't get mad. I especially loved when two soldiers escort Lt. Kije to a remote military post for punishment. (The prisoner would like some vodka).
I could not find a recording of the Troika that even remotely satisfied me - EVERYONE took it too fast - then I remembered Szell. PERFECTION. You can feel the wind in your hair, sleet and snow stinging your face, you can see your breath in clouds and hear the bells on the horses as you plunge through the snow. . . .
Klare und saubere Interpretation dieses einzigartigen und ein bisschen ethnisch komponierten Meisterwerks mit farbenreichen doch perfekt entsprechenden Tönen aller Instrumente. Der intelligente und unvergleichliche Dirigent leitet das hoch funktionelle Orchester im gut analysierten Tempo und mit künstlerisch kontrollierter Dynamik. Einfach wunderschön!
I was a member of that orchestra under GS. The adjective to describe that ensemble is great, not your often repeated highly functional. Perhaps in German that is a high compliment: in English it implies something which merely works well. Really, shame on you.
A great recording. The sound quality is exceptional and the musical interpretation is definitive. Not to mention the impeccable rhythmic drive that keeps it alive throughout. Thanks for posting!
