Prokofiev: Alexander Nevsky, Op. 78

In this re-issue Chandos brings together Prokofiev’s epic and colourful cinematic cantata Alexander Nevsky (referring to the original disc, CD Review called it ‘the greatest performance and recording of this I have ever heard, live or on disc’), the powerful Scythian Suite (derived from the composer’s mythological ballet Ala et Lolly, written for Diaghilev) and the suite from the ballet The Steel Dance.

Despite Leopold Stokowski's (1882-1977) huge discography and having conducted the first American performance in 1943, he never recorded Prokofiev's cantata 'Alexander Nevsky', based on Eisenstein's film. This is of major importance for collectors.

This is the first official release of the entire 1970 live concert in the Doelen in Rotterdam.

Stokowski recorded Ravel's Fanfare pour L'Eventail de Jeanne' and Franck's Symphony in D minor immediately after the concerts for Decca Phase 4 but the live performances have more tension and presence and the Doelen's excellent acoustic has been well captured by the Dutch engineers.

All three works are played 'straight' without any embellishments by the conductor.

The original master tape supplied by the Dutch broadcaster AVRO in Hilversum was used for the entire 1970 concert which was recorded in excellent stereo sound. The remastering engineer, Paschal Byrne, who has been responsible for all the Leopold Stokowski Society releases on Cala Records, has done a wonderful job to improve the sound.