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3. Plescheyevo Lake (Song about Alexander Nevsky
(2:28) (Boy, that first word's a mouthful :)
This nice hymn-like song has a woodwind introduction, followed by the
first statement of Nevsky's main theme in the men's chorus. It's
very calm and tranquil, but still a ravishing choral work. The tempo
increases, introducing the second figure, and comes to a nice conclusion.
A woodwind interlude follows, modulating into a higher key, and leading
into another statement of Nevsky's theme in the choir.
4. Pskov in Flames (2:27)
Opens with sinister low brass (one of the most cliched figures in soundtrack
history, but it was original here.) A wailing trumpet line enters,
quiets, and the trombones return. One of the key themes makes its
first appearance (the battle motif from the first section of "Battle on
the Ice.") The loud, evil brass end the track.
5. "Death to the Blasphemer!" (Peregrinus expectavi)
(3:16)
After assorted orchestral meanderings, the brass bring in another one
of the main themes, the "Expectavi" theme, eventually joined by the chorus.
The opening brass is like a sinister horn call, and the choral section
is almost a chant. The low brass motif from the previous track appears
for a few seconds.
6. Arise, People of Russia (4:13)
Fitting its name, this is one of the most rousing anthems on the album.
The full combined choirs are heard for one of the first times, singing
a triumphant battle hymn. After the first idea, the female parts
come in, singing the first statement of the Peasant motif, to be expanded
upon later. The male parts eventually join it. An orchestral
arrangement of the opening anthem follows, becoming one of the main battle
themes (heard later.) The innocent peasant motif returns, also played
by the orchestra this time. Clanging bell-like percussion form the
next few seconds, joined by another statement of the anthem/battle motif
by the choirs.
7. The Teutonic Camp (Peregrinus expectavi) (2:35)
The tone abruptly changes with another statement of the desolate Expectavi
motif in the choir accompanied by an obscure field organ. It ends
with the field organ playing the entire theme.
8. Nevsky's Camp: Night before the Battle (0:52)
For the prelude to the huge battle suite, Prokofiev brings back the
opening woodwinds from "Pskov in Flames" and expands upon them.
The Battle on the Ice: One of the most
original and exciting cues in film history, this is not to be missed.
It's been greatly expanded from the cantata.
9. April 5, 1242 (Peregrinus expectavi) (6:08)
This prelude to battle continues to build throughout, climaxing in
a furious sound effects suite. It expands upon the horn call and
Expectavi motif, first stating the call in a quiet solo, eventually joined
by the choir. A pulsing percussion/string ostinato is the basis for
the rest of the track with various statements of the horn call, first in
the tuba coupled with trumpets, continually gaining in strength, tempo,
and volume. A tambourine and wood block join the already huge percussion
section, along with descending trumpet decorations and the original horn
call. The choir eventually comes in with the full Expectavi motif,
joining the awesome horn call ensemble. All the elements continue
to build in volume and orchestration, climaxing with assorted battle noises.
10. Fight for Russia! (1:51)
This is the first of the ballet-like action cues. One of the
main motifs is heard for the first time, adding excitement and depth to
the seemingly mindless killing on screen.
11. Spears and Arrows (Peregrinus expectavi) (2:55)
"Spears and Arrows" opens with a chasing figure for brass and strings,
later adding an expansion of the horn calls from
track 9. As expected, the full choir enters singing the Expectavi
motif, also expanded upon, combined with the horn calls. More sound
effects end the track.
12. The Duel with the Grand Master (1:22)
This remains my second-favorite action cue (after track 9), providing
a rousing climactic motif to the long battle. A clanging anvil in
the background adds to the urgency, along with a frenetic chasing figure
in the orchestra.
13. The Battle Is Won (3:33)
As the crusaders are finally victorious, Prokofiev gives us three minutes
of expansion on the main action motif from "Fight for Russia!" complete
with chasing trumpets, strings, etc. At one point, I even heard an
alto saxophone solo! As the cue progresses, several string runs are
added, and the horn call intrudes into the triumphant proceedings.
14. The Ice Breaks (1:43)
Both sides scramble to escape the breaking ice, and this cue appropriately
opens with pounding timpani, cymbals, and that clanging anvil. In
the background of the chaotic percussion ensemble are various dissonant
hints at the ever-present horn call. The cue ends with a nice cadence.
15. The Field of the Dead (5:37)
A dreary tone returns with mournful string passages for the first few
minutes, later joined by a wailing solo soprano singing an operatic aria.
16. Pskov: Procession of the Fallen and Judgment
of the Prisoners (4:10)
Clanging bells open this track, but the bulk of it is based on an mournful
elegy. Chasing strings later erupt, leading to more bells and a moving
triumphant orchestral statement of Nevsky's song, eventually joined with
the peasant motif. The strings return, and another soaring orchestral
arrangement of the song ends the track.
17. "And now let's celebrate!" (1:02)
Strangely enough, the final underscore track is based on one of the
main battle motifs, the chasing figure from "Spears and Arrows."
The opening is a full statement, but the rest is a quiet expansion, bringing
back that saxophone solo.
18. Final Chorus (:52)
For the final track in Prokofiev's opus, the versatile composer reintroduces
the triumphant orchestral arrangement of Nevsky's song, but adding ecstatic
choir and bells, ending on a huge chord.
I know a lot of you hear the phrase "Golden Age" and immediately conjure up images of endlessly cliched, hopelessly shallow orchestral music, but Prokofiev was different. This score was the basis for most orchestral action scores today, and sounds as if it could have been written for any modern movie while still maintaining its freedom and elegance as a concert work. Needless to say, I think your collection is sorely lacking without a copy of Alexander Nevsky (in some form.)
| Music Rating | 10/10 |
| Packaging/Liner Notes | 7/10 |
| Orchestral Performance | 10/10 |
| Sound Quality | 9/10 |
| Length | 10/10 |