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Valery Gergiev In Rehearsal [1996]

Starring: Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Valery Gergiev, Aleksander Toradse
Format: PAL
Released: 05 Jun 2002
RRP: £19.99
Average Rating:

Customer Reviews

Simply mindblowing - By: , 22 Jun 2005
A snapshot of one of the great conductors of our time, the charismatic Valeri Gergiev. His choice, as the centrepiece, of Prokofiev's Scythian Suite, far less familiar to audiences than The Rite of Spring, gives us an insight not only into a piece that can be just 'mere noise' in the hands of lesser conductors, but into Gergiev's ability to communicate with musicians & audiences outside his native Russia.

In the extended rehearsal sequence he painstakingly develops Prokofiev's delicate scoring depicting the mysteries of Scythian religion, while not stinting with the visceral excitement of the clashing discords in the work's closing bars (more 'barbaric' than the conclusion to the Rite??).

The visual material provided here is good also - note especiallly the fine workmanship of the Scythian goldsmiths. Oleg Prokofiev's comments on his father & his music add further illumination to an outstanding musical DVD. More, please!