Prokofiev - Alexander Nevsky & Scythian Suite

Alexander Nevsky is the score for the 1938 Sergei Eisenstein film Alexander Nevsky, composed by Sergei Prokofiev. He later rearranged the music in the form of a cantata for mezzo-soprano, chorus, and orchestra. It has remained one of the most renowned cantatas of the 20th century.

The score was Prokofiev's third for a film, following Lieutenant Kije (1933) and Pique Dame (1936). It was composed of 21 sections, and Prokofiev was heavily involved not just with the composition, but with the recording as well. He experimented with different microphone distances in order to achieve the desired sound. Horns meant to represent the Teutonic Knights, for instance, were played close enough to the microphones to produce a crackling, distorted sound. The brass and choral groups were recorded in different studios and the separate pieces were later mixed.

Prokofiev employed different sections of the orchestra, as well as different compositional styles, to evoke the necessary imagery. For instance, the Teutonic Knights (seen as the adversary) are represented by heavy brass instruments, playing discordant notes in a martial style. The sympathetic Russian forces are represented by more folk-like arrangements, played with more consonance.

The cantata for Alexander Nevsky (Op. 78) debuted in Moscow on May 17, 1939. It was performed under the direction of Prokofiev, and like the film score was well-received by the public. The U.S. premiere was conducted by Leopold Stokowski. It is performed in seven movements, lasting approximately 40 minutes. It is sung in Russian, but Prokofiev utilized Latin for the third and fifth movements.


Tracklist:

01. Alexander Nevsky - Russian under The Mongolian Yoke
02. Alexander Nevsky - Songs About Alexander Nevsky
03. Alexander Nevsky - The Crusaders in Pskov
04. Alexander Nevsky - Arise, Ye Russian People
05. Alexander Nevsky - The Battle Of Ice
06. Alexander Nevsky - The Field of The Dead
07. Alexander Nevsky - Alexander's Entrance into Pskov
08. Scythian Suite - The Adoration of Veless and Ala
09. Scythian Suite - The Enemy God and the Dance of the Spirits of Darkness
10. Scythian Suite - Night
11. Scythian Suite - The Glorious Departure of Lolly and The Sun's Procession


On this CD:

1. Alexander Nevsky
Composed by Sergey Prokofiev
Performed by Scottish Orchestra Chorus, Royal Scottish National Orchestra
with Linda Finnie
Conducted by Neeme Järvi

2. Scythian Suite
Composed by Sergey Prokofiev
Performed by Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Conducted by Neeme Järvi


Product details:

* Composer: Sergey Prokofiev
* Conductor: Neeme Järvi
* Performer: Linda Finnie
* Orchestra: Scottish Orchestra Chorus, Royal Scottish National Orchestra
* Audio CD (1 Oct 1999)
* SPARS Code: DDD
* Number of Discs: 1
* Label: Chandos
* ASIN: B000025S1P

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