These performances are stunning, among the finest from Riccardo Muti’s Philadelphia career. Seldom has “The Death of Tybalt” from Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet Suite No. 1 had such raw excitement and virtuosity, and the great balcony scene is gorgeous. “Montagues and Capulets” also has a crushing power that we never seem to hear in performances of the complete ballet. Suite No. 1 is offered complete, while No. 2 is missing a couple of numbers, including the charming item simply called “Dance” (the Dance of the Girls with Lilies isn’t such a loss). Respighi’s Pines of Rome makes an odd coupling, but it’s similarly magnificently played. Oddly enough, the early digital Prokofiev, despite a touch of glare on top, has more body and presence than the Respighi, which turns cloudy at the climaxes, with cymbals notably off-mike. Still, these sonic reservations don’t detract from the quality or audibility of the music-making.
