Sergei Prokofiev is probably most famous for his ballet, Romeo & Juliet (see Star Trek III, track 3 for a sampling of this work) and the Troika from Lieutentant Kije is almost impossible to miss around Christmas. In terms of film music though, Prokofiev's greatest triumph was probably his score for Eisenstein's Alexander Nevsky. The original recording of the score was apparently laughably awful; microphones were moved closer to certain instruments rather than changing of the orchestration; nothing so technical as mixing took place and compared to recordings made in Hollywood, the results were fairly appauling. There is a re-recording of the score, more akin to its original arrangement, but the work has been primarily known as a concert suite which is presented here, performed by The London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Claudio Abbado.

There is a good reason that some film music becomes so famous and in the case of Alexander Nevsky it's not terribly difficult to know why; it is very thematic, rousing, thrilling, beautiful and moves through every kind of emotion an epic tale such as Nevsky's should. Perhaps the highlight is the extended Battle on the Ice, which has been imitated on countless occasions, most notably in James Horner's score to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn. The original scene was scored with several different cues and while it is arranged into a continuous movement here, the general concept of each cue is fairly distinct. The rythmic opening builds the tension, this is then added upon to eventually include the choir, but gives way to a surprisingly balletic interlude. The cue is brought to a climax by the choir almost groaning, which accompanies the ice breaking and the defeated army drowning. A very gentle epilogue closes it out, but this idea is extended in the almost impossibly haunting Field of the Dead, brought to life by the wonderful Mezzo Soprano Elena Obraztsova. The climax of the suite is the rousing, yet hymnal Alexander's Entry into Pskov where the choir and orchestra capture the celebratory mood of Nevsky's victory.

Lieutentant Kije is perhaps more familiar, but probably as a result of the endless playing of the Troika around Christmas. It does admittedly capture the spirit of a snowy jaunt in a horse drawn sled, but overuse of classical pieces like this does make them stick out as "that the bit you recognise," especially when the famous section is perhaps one of the more frivolous moments of the suite. The theme that defines the Troika is Kije's theme and so crops up quite often in the course of the suite, but is used quite sparingly and with all manner of orchestration and mood. Far less intense than Alexander Nevsky, this is a lot more sprightly and only during the moody Romance does do slightly darker tones intrude; even Kije's Burial refrains from sobriety.

The Scythian Suite is taken from material that was originally going to become a ballet and while the story behind the music is difficult to discern, it does seem to have a fairly mystical quality. For some reason it reminds me of Stravinky's Firebird, although the styles of the composers are far too distinct to confuse them. Reviewing music by a composer as well known and respected as Prokofiev is difficult since the quality of the music is not really in question, they have been elevated beyond the status where that is an issue, the performance is the issue. On that score, I think I can safely say that Abbado has done a superb job and the fine recording captures every tiny detail of the crisp, clean, but hugely enthusiastic performaces of both the London and Chicago Symphony Orchestras. I would admit that sometimes it is not easy listen; much of the central portions of Alexander Nevsky are fairly intense and uncompromising, but this is the kind of music that has truly transcended its origins and brilliantly tells the story without the visuals. Undeniable cinematic musical masterpieces.

Rating ~

  1. Alexander Nevsky
    Russia under the Mongol Yoke (3:09)
  2. Song about Alexander Nevsky (3:32)
  3. The Crusaders in Pskov (6:40)
  4. Arise, ye Russian People (2:20)
  5. The Battle on the Ice (12:04)
  6. The Field of the Dead (6:01)
    Elena Obraztsova ~ Mezzo Soprano
  7. Alexander's Entry into Pskov (4:45)
  8. Scythian Suite
    The Adoration of Veless and Ala (5:38)
  9. The Enemy God and the Dance of the Spirits of Darkness (3:11)
  10. Night (6:16)
  11. The Glorious Departure of Lolly and the Sun's Procession (5:33)
  12. Lieutenant Kife
    Kije's Birth (4:10)
  13. Romance (4:09)
  14. Kije's Wedding (2:36)
  15. Troika (2:44)
  16. Kije's Burial (5:55)

Total Time ~ 78:51