Musical Toronto, Canada

How does Gergiev conduct Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony? In a word, magnificently. This is a performance that captures all the power and beauty of the symphony, not to mention the myriad colours that the composer created in what is arguably his finest work. Gergiev also adds to the coruscating abrasiveness of the piece by bringing to the fore virtually every dissonance. What makes this performance such an overwhelming experience is the quality of the recording. The climaxes in the first and third movements are guaranteed lease-breakers for apartment dwellers. The visceral impact of the percussion is astonishing.