Prokofiev Symphony 7

London Symphony Orchestra
Conductor Gianandrea Noseda

LSO0401 / LSO Live

Completed in 1952 as Prokofiev struggled against Soviet denunciation and failing health, the Seventh Symphony — his last major completed work — wears its origins lightly. Commissioned by the Soviet Children's Radio Division and often dubbed the 'Children's Symphony', it presents a nostalgic reflection on youth: wistful, innocent, yet shadowed throughout by melancholy. That enigmatic final farewell, resolving like a slowly stilling heartbeat, haunts long after the music has ceased.

Gianandrea Noseda, the LSO's Principal Guest Conductor, brings precision, rhythmic pulse and genuine warmth to proceedings from the very opening bars. Strings and woodwind are an immediate delight, and the orchestral detail is consistently luminous throughout. The Andante espressivo slow movement is especially well-handled, the LSO responding to Noseda's direction with playing of real tenderness, while the finale is simply terrific — exhilarating in its forward drive before the symphony subsides into stillness following some lovely harp glissandos.

A thrilling release, and one that brings a satisfying conclusion to what has been a distinguished Prokofiev symphony cycle.