This is a welcome appendix to the much (and rightly) acclaimed cycle of Prokofiev symphonies that Neeme Jarvi and the SNO have been recording for chandos. Let me say straight away that I think the Romeo and Juliet is vastly superior to either Muti and the Philadelphia Orchestra (HMV ASD4068, 5/82; (CD) CDC7 47004-2, 2/84) or rostropovich and the Washington National Symphony Orchestra (DG 2532 089, 7/83; (CD) 410 519-2GH, 9/83). Chandos included the First Suite as a coupling for the Second Symphony (ABRD1134, 9/85; (CD) CHAN8368, 10/85) and it was an undeniably successful account. The Second Suite is if anything better: it has sensitivity, abundant atmosphere, a sense of the theatre (something that Muti's overdrilled version completely lacked), and unlike the Rostropovich, it is refreshingly unmannered. The ''Montagues and Capulets'' movement is imposing: Jarvi makes much of the pesante marking at fig. 2 and is slower than we are used to (and than the composer's own marking of crotchet = 100 or his 1942 78rpm recording). but no matter, in terms of characterization, it would be difficult to fault this eloquent reading.
The Romeo and Juliet suite occupies one side of the LP, and the other offers some rarities. Dreams is a short symphonic poem, not dissimilar to the more frequently heard Autumn, and written in 1910 while Prokofiev was still a student. It is a rather impressive piece, atmospheric, a little derivative, perhaps, with a fair amount of Debussy and early Scriabin. It is, incidentally, dedicated to the latter. The other items, lumped together as 'Pushkiniana', are drawn from works inspired by the great Russian poet. In 1937, the centenary of Pushkin's death, Prokofiev wrote extensive scores for Meyerhold's Boris Godunov comprising 24 numbers and for a production of Eugene Onegin, the poem play which had no fewer than 45. (It was given by BBC Radio 3 some years ago.) Much of the music was eventually re-used in other works, but the two Pushkin Waltzes, Op. 120, are rather engaging lighter pieces, commissioned in 1949 by Moscow Radio. All this music is well worth having and the performances are as expert and well prepared as the Romeo and Juliet suite. What can one say of the recording, save that it is in the highest traditions of the house, and of the Prokofiev series! The range is wide, the balance finely judged and detail is in exactly the right perspective. In every way a strong recommendation.'