- Symphony No. 3.
I am a big fan of Prokofiev’s two violin concertos. And I must admit that I do not know this symphony, so I got interested in this performance.
This fourth volume in Marin Alsop’s acclaimed Prokofiev symphonic cycle features two of his most exciting works. Using material salvaged from his opera “The Fiery Angel”, the Third Symphony was hailed by conductor Serge Koussevitzky at its 1929 première as ‘the best symphony since Tchaikovsky’s Sixth’.
We get to listen to the following on this new CD:
Prokofiev:
- Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 44
- Scythian Suite, Op. 20
- Autumnal sketch, Op. 8
Performed by the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra, Marin Alsop conducting.
Originally commissioned as a ballet by Sergey Dyagilev but rejected as un-danceable, the Prokofiev “Scythian Suite” has become a popular orchestral showpiece, while Prokofiev retained a lifelong fondness for his dark-hued early symphonic sketch “Autumn”.
Here is the Sergei Prokofiev Symphony 3:
And here is another interpretation of the same dramatic work, as conducted by Valery Gergiev:
Tags: Prokofiev, Symphony #3, São Paulo Symphony Orchestra, Marin Alsop