Prokofiev: Cinderella & Romeo and Juliet Ballet Suites
Of the major works of Sergei Prokofiev, none (apart perhaps from Peter and the Wolf) have become so well loved by a wide audience as the ballets Cinderella and Romeo and Juliet. From the stage productions, to the orchestral suites, to the piano versions, many of these pieces are universally recognised.
In the 1950s, four pieces from each ballet were arranged for clarinet and piano by Bronislav Prorvich, a clarinettist with the Bolshoi Theatre. Strangely, so far as we know, these sparkling arrangements have never previously been recorded. Ian Scott and his producer Malcolm McMillan have added a further 12 movements from the ballets, many of which strongly featured the clarinet in the original orchestral version. This has resulted in a lovely collection of pieces that are at once very familiar but also heard in a completely new light.
SUPPORTED BY THE OLEG PROKOFIEV TRUST
Track Listing
- Cinderella, Op. 87 - I. The Dancing Lesson (3:03)
- Cinderella, Op. 87 - II. Winter Fairy (3:48)
- Cinderella, Op. 87 - III. Passepied (1:58)
- Cinderella, Op. 87 - IV. Adagio (4:13)
- Cinderella, Op. 87 - V. Oriental Dance(2:06)
- Cinderella, Op. 87 - VI. Kubishka Variation (1:36)
- Cinderella, Op. 87 - VII. Summer Fairy (1:55)
- Cinderella, Op. 87 - VIII. Grasshoppers (1:06)
- Cinderella, Op. 87 - IX. Spring Fairy (1:37)
- Cinderella, Op. 87 - X. Dance of the Cavaliers (1:32)
- Cinderella, Op. 87 - XI. Grand Waltz (5:06)
- Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64 - I. Juliet's Entrance (3:58)
- Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64 - II. Masks (2:12)
- Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64 - III. Dance of the Knights (4:04)
- Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64 - IV. Mercutio (2:26)
- Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64 - V. Dance of the Girls With Lilies (2:21)
- Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64 - VI. Gavotte (1:34)
- Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64 - VII. Street Scene (1:27)
- Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64 - VIII. Letter Scene (2:08)
- Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64 - IX. Death of Tybalt (1:48)
Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953
Reviews
“This recording shows the musical mastery and nuanced imagination of lan Scott’s artistry.
” —Jim Muirhead
“The appealing ballet music of Sergei Prokofiev lends itself extremely well for a transcription for clarinet and piano. This CD is magnificent, if only for the always surprising twists and atmospheres which Prokofiev derives from his ballet music. The music in combination with the arrangement – because of its great impact of melody and rhythm – remains very strong, so this version will take some beating.
” —Jos Ruiters
“This delightful disc of suites from two of Sergei Prokofiev’s most successful ballet scores arranged for clarinet and piano is effective because of [the artists’] understanding of, and appreciation for, music written for the dance. Scott plays with rhythmic flair, sensitivity, and wit, all qualities that serve this music very well. This should appeal to all clarinet lovers, but also beyond that to anyone who would enjoy hearing this music in a different but effective guise.
” —Henry Fogel
“This is a thoroughly delightful disc. Ian Scott had the idea of replacing the orchestra with the solo instrument and having “the freedom to interpret the ravishing melodies”. In this he has been totally successful alongside accompanist Jonathan Higgins. There is an all-round quality to this issue in every respect.
” —Peter Burt
“The purpose here is to showcase the clarinet’s capabilities in this music; to bring Prorvich’s work to light; and to present well-known works in a way they have not been heard before. All this is fine, and certainly the warmth of the clarinet fits much of this music very well indeed. Everything here sounds good and is played well, and the CD is an enjoyable curiosity that will be of special interest to clarinetists and to listeners who have become somewhat jaded by the original Prokofiev scores and will welcome the chance to hear portions of them in a new guise.
” —Mark J. Estren
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