Prokofiev created three popular orchestral suites from his ballet Romeo and Juliet, and with his approval, violist Vadim Borisovsky arranged 13 of the movements for viola and piano. For this recording, David Grunes and violist Matthew Jones made arrangements of three other movements, and Jones and pianist Michael Hampton organized the set so that they follow the order of the action of the ballet. The arrangements are exceptionally well done and for most of this music, the combination of viola and piano sounds like a natural ...
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Prokofiev created three popular orchestral suites from his ballet Romeo and Juliet, and with his approval, violist Vadim Borisovsky arranged 13 of the movements for viola and piano. For this recording, David Grunes and violist Matthew Jones made arrangements of three other movements, and Jones and pianist Michael Hampton organized the set so that they follow the order of the action of the ballet. The arrangements are exceptionally well done and for most of this music, the combination of viola and piano sounds like a natural fit, thanks to the versatility of the viola's tonal variety; it can soar like a violin and project the mellow warmth of a cello. The album is so successful both because of the arrangers' skill and Jones' gift in exploiting the instrument's versatility. Hampton, too, plays with plenty of color and drama, and he and Jones create rounded, musically satisfying highlights of music from the ballet. It's a set of pieces that makes a delicious addition to the violists' recital repertoire....
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