Riccardo Muti made an absolutely stunning recording of the first two suites (more or less) from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet with the Philadelphia Orchestra for EMI. That was, and remains, a reference recording. Here we have a hybrid 48 minutes of music assembled from the suites for concert use, and in length at least it makes sense for a live performance. It is, however, really too short for a CD release. Second, Muti’s ordering of the selection is questionable. Here is what you get: Montagues and Capulets, Juliet the Young Girl, Madrigal, Minuet, Masks, Romeo and Juliet (Balcony Scene), Death of Tybalt, Friar Lawrence, Romeo and Juliet Before Parting, and Romeo at Juliet’s Tomb.
As you can see, the suite concludes with three slow, droopy numbers for no valid reason. The dullish Friar Lawrence easily could have been replaced (or better yet, succeeded) by something lively. Moreover, good as the performances are–and they could hardly be otherwise given Muti’s sympathy for the music and the marvelous Chicago Symphony–they are simply not as exciting as the Philadelphia versions. The lyrical numbers still have a lovely, balletic grace and rhythmic lift. The Balcony Scene is particularly well shaped, but the Death of Tybalt substitutes precision for energy. Even the Knight’s Dance (a.k.a. Montagues and Capulets) has acquired a certain legato heaviness where previously the strings had bite.
In sum, for all of the above reasons this well engineered sequel just isn’t really competitive in a market full of excellent versions of this music, including Muti’s own.
