Title: Serious Prokofiev
Review: I have many recordings of the Prokofiev 1st and 5th symphonies yet I have never heard such serious, sober, and stern interpretations. It magnifies their power into something bigger than life. This is for better or worse Yoel Levi's doing. I think it is for the better since the music seems to make such a big impression on me. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra shows that they are a major U.S. symphony orchestra near if not at the caliber of LAPO, NYPO, or the CSO. The Telarc recording is the weak link being only very good and not excellent or outstanding.In Telarc's own line-up I prefer this recording of the 5th to Paavo Jarvi's effort with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. This version with Levi is more sweeping and has more drama. In fact I probably endorse this Prokofiev 1st and 5th almost over anyone else's including Neeme Jarvi and Mstislav Rostropovich. It is that good.Highly recommended. Five Stars.
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