Prokofiev: Symphony No.1 'Classical' in D major op.25 - Koussevitzky/Boston Symphony Orchestra

Written in 1916, Prokofiev's 'Neo-classical' first symphony the self titled 'Classical' is one of his most accessible and well known works. Drawing inspiration from Haydn and Mozart it fuses classical grace and poise with the young Prokofiev's developing sense of the grotesque and outlandish.

Today it is being presented in a celebrated 1947 recording by the Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by one of 20th Century's greatest conductors, classical publishers and impresarios Serge Koussevitzky (right). The Boston Symphony under Koussevitzky (1924-1949) became one of the finest and most creative orchestras in the world commissioning amongst many celebrated works: Ravel's transcription of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, Ravel's piano concerto, Prokofiev's 4th Symphony, Hindemith's Concert Music for Strings and Brass,Igor Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms, Britten's opera Peter Grimes, Béla Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra, Aaron Copland's Symphony No. 3, and Olivier Messiaen's Turangalîla-Symphonie.

This sparkling performance with its breakneck precision, intense energy and refined wit thoroughly demonstrates Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony's authourity and virtuosity in the music of Prokofiev and the 'Classical Symphony'...

1. Allegro
2. Larghetto

3.Gavotte
4. Finale

Prokofiev
Koussevitzky

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