When confronted with a disc called Prokofiev -- An Introduction, the inevitable first question is "how apt an introduction is it?" The answer is: fairly apt. While the program clearly leans toward the well known -- the "Troika" from Lieutenant Kije, the March from The Love for Three Oranges and, of course, Peter and the Wolf are all here -- and the well loved -- the "Classical" Symphony plus four excerpts from the Romeo and Juliet ballet -- this is entirely right and proper. Most listeners will already know most of this ...
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When confronted with a disc called Prokofiev -- An Introduction, the inevitable first question is "how apt an introduction is it?" The answer is: fairly apt. While the program clearly leans toward the well known -- the "Troika" from Lieutenant Kije, the March from The Love for Three Oranges and, of course, Peter and the Wolf are all here -- and the well loved -- the "Classical" Symphony plus four excerpts from the Romeo and Juliet ballet -- this is entirely right and proper. Most listeners will already know most of this music -- the "Troika" from Woody Allen's movie Love and Death, the March from the radio and television shows The FBI in Peace and War, Peter and the Wolf from childhood -- and the rest is immediately appealing -- who couldn't enjoy the rip-roaring Finale from the "Classical" Symphony? who wouldn't fall in love with the sensually lush Romeo and Juliet music? -- a combination that's exactly right for an introduction. The second question is "how good are the performances?" The answer is:...
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