Prokofiev: Symphony No... - Aziz Shokhakimov,orchestre Philharmonique De Strasbourg - Audio CD (Arrives in 50 days)

“Shokhakimov’s resonance with this repertoire really is special.” That was the verdict of Seen and Heard International in 2022, when the Orchestre philharmonique de Strasbourg – conducted in its home city by its music director Aziz Shokhakimov – performed music by Prokofiev: the Symphony No 1 (‘Classical’) and the two suites from his ballet score for Romeo and Juliet.

Tchaikovsky’s tribute to Shakespeare’s “star-crossed lovers” featured on a Strasbourg/Shokhakimov album released by Warner Classics in 2023. “A blazing performance” of the Romeo and Juliet fantasy overture was welcomed by Robert Cowan, known as one of Gramophone magazine’s most established reviewers. It was paired with a symphonic interpretation that Cowan called “a fabulous Tchaikovsky 5 … with superb playing, expressive surges to the string lines, artful rubato … tough, emphatic and occasionally balletic … Shokhakimov secures an orchestral tone of great depth.”

In a similar vein. Seen and Heard International found the solemn finale of Prokofiev’s second Romeo and Juliet suite “as intense as any Mahler slow movement, the result of Shokhakimov’s clear understanding of Prokofiev’s harmonic processes and scoring”.

Tracklist

1. Symphony No.1 In D Major, Op. 25 - I. Allegro
2. Ii. Larghetto
3. Iii. Gavotte: Non Troppo Allegro
4. Iv. Finale: Molto Vivace
5. Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 1, Op. 64bis - I. Folk Dance
6. Ii. a Scene (the Street Awakens)
7. Iii. Madrigal
8. Iv. Minuet (the Arrival of the Guests)
9. V. Masks (Romeo and Mercutio Masked)
10. Vi. Romeo and Juliet (the Balcony Scene)
11. Vi. the Death of Tybalt
12. Romeo and Juliet Suite No. 2 Suite, Op. 64ter - I. the Montagues and Capulets
13. Ii. the Young Juliet
14. Iii. Friar Laurence
15. Iv. Dance
16. V. Romeo and Juliet Before Parting
17. Vi. Dance of the Girls With Lillies
18. Vii. Romeo At Juliet's Grave

Label: Plg Uk Catalog | Origin: Holland