Prokofiev: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 4

Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra & James Gaffigan

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Cat No: CC72779

Release Date: 06 April 2018

Label: Challenge Classics

Packaging Type: Super Jewel Case (SACD)

No of Units: 1

Barcode: 608917277920

Genres: Classical Orchestral

Description

This album is the fourth and last volume in the acclaimed complete survey of Prokofiev's symphonies performed by the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic orchestra, conducted by James Gaffigan. The experimental Second Symphony, dated 1925, is coupled with the late Socialist Realism-like revision of the Fourth.

The Dutch composer, music journalist and novelist Elmer Schönberger once described the Second Symphony as a sub-genre – of a primarily psychological nature, albeit with considerable stylistic consequences: in a first symphony, a composer will more or less reflect the traditions from which he comes, and in a second, he will deliberately break away from them. Prokofiev's Second, composed eight years after the First, appears to be a defiant ode to the modern era, witnessed by the layers of mechanically persistent rhythms, expressionist harmonies, ostensibly unfathomable forms and its very expansive take on tonality. The work was premiered in Paris in 1925, conducted by Serge Koussevitsky.

Prokofiev decided to revise his Fourth Symphony, Op. 47, after the successful premieres of his Fifth and Sixth Symphonies (in January 1945 and December 1947 respectively). The original four movements remained largely intact, but the changes say a great deal about his style at that point. The first alteration was to insert or expand some passages that were predominantly reflective, with a strong emphasis on melody. Another example is the attempt to align the scale more closely with what was required by Social Realism, in which the neo-classical is overlaid with a considerable dose of heroism and sometimes even bombast. The association of Op. 112 with Social Realism subsequently proved to be an obstacle to its acceptance in the West. The changes in the Fourth were so meaningful that Prokofiev gave a new opus number to the Second Version.

Critical Acclaim

On Symphonies Nos. 6 & 7 (CC72714) "James Gaffigan is absolutely charming"-- Pizzicato / "This is Prokofiev with weight and wit" -- Stereophile
On Symphonies Nos. 1 & 5 (CC72732) "The orchestral imagination and the joyous spirit of these two readings warrant a warm recommendation" --Fanfare / "This is a top-notch performance" -- MusicWeb
On Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4 (CC72584) "Gaffigan has what it takes: overview and keen insight into the music score" --Klassieke Zaken / "…the playing sheds new light on Prokofiev's symphonic output, deserving all our attention" --HRAudio
Tracklisting