By Janelle Gelfand
The Cincinnati Enquirer

NEW & NOTED

Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Paavo J”rvi, conductor Prokofiev, Romeo and Juliet: Complete Suites from the Ballet Telarc; $16.97

Paavo J”rvi continues his love affair with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in his fourth Telarc album, the complete suites from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, in stores Tuesday.

Recorded last year in Music Hall, these musical scenes are powerful portrayals of Shakespeare's tragic story. Besides allowing a chance to hear all three of the composer's attempts at setting the young lovers' tale, it is a revealing look at the range of J”rvi's inspiration - and the virtuosity of the Cincinnati players.

Prokofiev's angular themes crackle with electricity, and the score's sweet, poignant moments are underscored with a sense of the lovers' doom.

There's the romantic sweep of the "Balcony Scene," played with a gossamer touch in the strings. "The Death of Tybalt" is energized, furious and driving and the brass adds spectacular punch.

Under J”rvi, the orchestra's playing is truly world-class, and orchestral soloists rise to the occasion. Friar Laurence is evoked with gentle, sonorous playing from bass clarinetist Ron Aufmann; the horns capture both the ardor and grief of "Romeo at Juliet's Grave" in high, arching themes.

J”rvi brings out every detail with wide-ranging imagination. The scenes of the young Juliet are winsome and captivating; "Morning Serenade" is a staccato romp in glistening colors.

With such detail, Telarc's high definition sound and J”rvi seem like a marriage made in heaven. The sound is pristine; you hear every note and musical line within the texture as clearly as viewing the inner workings of a clock.

If there is one fault, it is only that the recording doesn't capture the stunning spontaneity of J”rvi's live performance - at times the playing seems too careful. But it's a close second.

E-mail jgelfand@enquirer.com