Kirill Karabits and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra embark on a fascinating journey through the seven Prokofiev symphonies, and will explore some rare works from the composer’s early years that help chart his symphonic development. On this first CD of the cycle the rarely performed alternative ending for the Seventh Symphony can be heard.
‘While conducting Prokofiev’s music, it is impossible not to feel the unique trust the composer grants by leaving a huge part of the interpretation to the performer, rather than demanding that they should illustrate and respect what is notated in the score: I almost feel I am involved in the creative process myself.’ Kirill Karabits
For the second volume in their Prokofiev symphony cycle, Kirill Karabits and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra present two contrasting symphonies – the First, a delightful and skilful homage to Joseph Haydn, and the avant-garde Second, described by the composer as being ‘as hard as iron and steel’. The early Sinfonietta and Autumnal Sketch complete the programme.
The third volume of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s acclaimed Prokofiev symphony cycle under their charismatic Chief Conductor Kirill Karabits reaches arguably the most popular if not the greatest of the composer’s seven symphonies – the epic 5th. This composition was written in 1944 during the height of the Herculean Russian struggle to defeat the Nazi invasion. The Prodigal Son ballet for Diaghilev provided the material for the 4th Symphony of 1930, a commission from the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Serge Koussevitzky. The composer was to revise this work in 1947.
The completion of a major symphony cycle is quite an event. Karabits and the BSO end their journey through the seven Prokofiev Symphonies with the expanded and revised version of no.4, and the monumental and deeply personal 6th.
The composer's very first attempt at a symphony is recorded for the first time - the one surviving movement of the G major symphony written when the 11 year old Prokofiev was studying under Gliere.
