Prokofiev: Symphony No. 3 Op. 44 - Chailly (1984)

Sergej Prokofiev

Symphony No. 3 Op. 44 in C Minor

"The Love for Three Oranges" Suite Op. 33bis

Junge Deutsche Philharmonie

Riccardo Chailly

DGG 410 988-1 - 1984

Frustrated by the difficulties in having his rather eerie opera "The Fiery Angel" staged, Prokofiev readapted some of its symphonic material for his 3rd Symphony - which he completed in 1928.

This powerful and haunting work may well be seen as a musical example of the Futuristic style, with its extreme dynamics and pounding rhythmic patterns, well balanced by the idyllic tones of the Andante.

As always with the great Soviet composer, his orchestration is nothing short of masterly, and although the 3rd is certanly not as popular as his 1st or 5th, this work now stands among the most intriguing and often performed of his seven symphonies.

Riccardo Chailly has championed this beautiful symphony since his early performances at the RAI in Milan, and on disc with the Concertgebouw for Decca in 1991, alongside another Soviet Futuristic work by Alexander Mosolov – "Iron Foundry".

Dedicated to Myaskovsky, Prokofiev's 3rd Symphony is presented here in a very rare DGG disc from 1984 - never released on CD - with Chailly conducting the then up and coming Junge Deutsche Philharmonie in a brilliant recording, appropriately complemented by a stunning account of the suite from "The Love for Three Oranges".

Digital Recording

LP Rip

Flac (RS)/Ape (MF) & Covers