Prokofiev's imposing Fourth Symphony and his final ballet for Sergey Dyagilev, the Prodigal Son, share common roots but are entirely distinctive in character. The vivid depictions in the ballet's moral tale include sensual temptations, drunken debauchery, robbery and remorse. The 1947 revision of the Fourth Symphony, lengthened and enriched in orchestration by the addition of a piccolo clarinet, piano and harp, makes extended use of themes from the Prodigal Son as well as unused material. Prokofiev's Fifth Symphony with Marin Alsop and the Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra (8.573029) was described as 'an outstanding achievement' by BBC Music Magazine.

Tracklist:

Symphony No. 4, Op. 112 (Revised 1947 Version): I. Andante - Allegro Eroico - Allegretto
Symphony No. 4, Op. 112 (Revised 1947 Version): II. Andante Tranquillo
Symphony No. 4, Op. 112 (Revised 1947 Version): III. Moderato, Quasi Allegretto
Symphony No. 4, Op. 112 (Revised 1947 Version): IV. Allegro Risoluto
L'enfant Prodigue (The Prodigal Son), Op. 46: Scene 1: Le Depart (The Departure)
L'enfant Prodigue (The Prodigal Son), Op. 46: Scene 1: Rencontre Avec Des Camarades (Meeting Friends)
L'enfant Prodigue (The Prodigal Son), Op. 46: Scene 1: L'enjoleuse (The Seductress)
L'enfant Prodigue (The Prodigal Son), Op. 46: Scene 1: Les Danseurs (The Dancers)
L'enfant Prodigue (The Prodigal Son), Op. 46: Scene 2: L'enfant Prodigue Et L'enjoleuse (The Prodigal Son And The Se
L'enfant Prodigue (The Prodigal Son), Op. 46: Scene 2: L'ivresse (Drunkenness)
L'enfant Prodigue (The Prodigal Son), Op. 46: Scene 2: Pillage (The Despoiling)
L'enfant Prodigue (The Prodigal Son), Op. 46: Scene 2: Reveil Et Remords (Awakening And Remorse)
L'enfant Prodigue (The Prodigal Son), Op. 46: Scene 3: Intermede: Partage Du Butin (Interlude: Sharing The Spoils)
L'enfant Prodigue (The Prodigal Son), Op. 46: Scene 3: Le Retour (The Return)

UPC: 747313318674
Label: Naxos
Release Date: 10.29.13
Format: CD

Prokofiev / Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra / Alsop - Symphony No 4 / Prodigal Son (CD)