Prokofiev's freewheeling Chout ballet, with its driving rhythms, highly virtuosic instrumental writing, and vivid and brilliantly varied orchestration, in many ways resembles his Scythian suite. Chout, or "buffoon", portrays the comic mishaps that occur when a husband concocts a scheme to swindle money out of seven clowns by faking his wife's death, and then selling his victims the magical whip that has restored her to life. For this scenario Prokofiev supplied music that is bitingly satirical (sounding close to the early ballet music of his contemporary Shostakovich) but also quite lyrical, even featuring some soaring Prokofievian tunes.
Yet for the most part the piece hustles along in a busy manner that at first seems chaotic but actually adheres to a larger thematic plan (each of the six Tableaux begins with the same material). Even so, it's the sheer sound of the music--and the amazing fecundity of Prokofiev's imagination--that make the greatest impressions, especially in this remarkable performance by Michail Jurowski and the Cologne WDR orchestra, which plays with marked precision and enthusiasm. CPO's recording, with its solid imaging and dynamic impact, no doubt enhances the music's overall effect. Neeme Järvi's Chandos disc is a safer bet for those who prefer just the ballet suite, but to experience the full effect of this striking score, this new version is the way to go. [12/15/2003] --Victor Carr Jr, ClassicsToday.com
