Some of the best recordings that have come my way recently are from new orchestra-based labels. Seattle Symphony Media's track record has been outstanding, and this fourth release from the Chicago Symphony's CSO-Resound label follows superlative releases as well, most notably of music by composers in residence Mason Bates and Anna Clyne - Riccardo Muti Conducts Mason Bates and Anna Clyne. This Prokofiev disc is an all-around winner: a strongly-played live recording with lots of energy. It includes a suite of 10 movements well chosen by Riccardo Muti from the ballet score for Romeo and Juliet. One of the coolest things about this project is the special relationship between the composer and the Chicago Symphony going back to 1917. Following commissions and performances from Chicago over a good part of his career, Prokofiev presented the North American premiere of Romeo and Juliet music with the Chicago Symphony in 1937. It's encouraging to see that while the CSO moves ahead in the 21st century with new music and distribution channels, it is also aware of its strong heritage and history.
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