Here is a DVD that delivers as much as it promises: which is to say‚ a great deal. The documentary and rehearsal section is given over to Prokofiev’s Scythian Suite‚ his noisy Ballets Russes extravaganza‚ often reckoned to be a rather crude attempt to out­scandalise The Rite of Spring. After the composer’s painter­son Oleg (since deceased) has set the scene with some basic background information‚ Gergiev speaks – in eloquent English – of his cultural and musical understanding of the piece‚ both straight to camera and in the course of an inspiring rehearsal. The members of the Rotterdam Philharmonic excel themselves‚ sounding far more full­blooded than in their early days with Gergiev as guest conductor; and the performance as a whole shows the music in the most favourable light – almost literally so when the stage lighting is turned up to accompany the concluding ‘Sunrise’. That final‚ rather corny indulgence apart‚ the camerawork is expert and unobtrusive. It’s hard to imagine anyone with the slightest interest in Prokofiev not having their enjoyment of the Scythian Suite enhanced by this kind of presentation. More than that‚ this DVD offers one of the most valuable documentary accounts of how artistic imagination translates into technical detail in the making of a fine musical performance. The rest is enjoyable without being quite so revelatory. Fireworks goes off splendidly‚ and the two ‘Symphonic Fragments’ from Debussy’s dramatic spectacle Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien make a welcome‚ tender epilogue. In between‚ Toradze takes no prisoners in his blistering and effusive account of Stravinsky’s Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments.