Question by Alexander H: What are considered the best recordings of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet?
I have recently become enamored with this ballet, but I don’t really find any of my recordings satisfying. I have Gergiev with the London Symphony Orchestra, Salonen with Los Angeles and Waart with Rotterdam. What are some recordings of this work that are considered “great” or definitive?
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Answer by Strawberry_Lynn
Thanks for your question, I now know who composed that wonderful tune. Why don’t you post one or two of those recordings that you have on Youtube? I can only find live recordings.
Theoretically, since classical music is all written down, all studio recordings should sound the same
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del_icious_manager says
Prokofiev's 'Romeo and Juliet' has fared particularly well on CD, with many very fine performances.
If you can track-down a copy (I think it's currently out of the catalogue), you should try to get your hands on a second-hand copy of the recording by the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden conducted by the Russian conductor Mark Ermler. Ermler was not so well known in 'the West' as some other Russian conductors, but he was for many years the Bolshoi Theatre's principal conductor and this music is simply in his blood.
Also very fine is the reissue of Gennadi Rozhdestvensky's recording with the Moscow Radio Symphony Orchestra. Sadly, it's in mono only, but the glory of this idiomatic performance shines through.
Another Russian performance is that by Algis Zhuraitis (who was actually Lithuanian) and the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra – blisteringly impassioned performances all round.
Of the recordings without a Russian involvement is the very fine performance by André Previn and the London Symphony Orchestra.
Another recording no-one should be without is that by Karel Ančerl and the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. It's not the full ballet, but a CDs-worth of highlights. The playing is staggering (the best 'Death of Tybalt' I have ever heard) and the recording very good for its mid-1960s vintage. Get this at all costs!