CD: Prokofiev: Nevsky; etc: Kirov Opera Chorus / Gergiev

· More classical CD reviews

When complete, the cycle of operas that the Kirov and Valery Gergiev have been steadily assembling on disc will be their major contribution to the Prokofiev cause, 50 years after his death. Now their accounts of two of his most popular concert works has been released to coincide with the anniversary itself.

It is a slightly underpowered tribute, never quite reaching the level of dramatic involvement and sheer physical excitement that Gergiev injects into his finest performances.

Surprisingly, it is the studio recording of the primitivist Scythian Suite that is the more convincing.

The cantata that was abstracted from the score for Eisenstein's Alexander Nevsky, taken from a concert in Moscow, is lacking in theatricality, and Gergiev does not respond to some of Prokofiev's most texturally imaginative music in the opening movement and the famous Battle on the Ice as one would expect - though Olga Borodina sings the final lament with haunting intensity.