Valery Gergiev is a “specialist” in the music of Sergei Prokofiev, and that may be an understatement.
His recordings of the Prokofiev piano concertos, with Alexander Toradze, are spectacular, and their version of the much recorded Third Concerto stands out as one of the best.
Similarly, his recordings of the Prokofiev symphonies are equally spectacular, and, once again, his version of the much recorded Fifth Symphony stands out as one of the best.
Gergiev has also recorded many (but not all) of the 15 Shostakovich symphonies. His recordings of the so-called “War Symphonies” (4-9) are more than worth listening to, and once again (sorry to keep saying this) his version of the much recorded Fifth Symphony stands out as one of the best.
Gergiev has not forgotten his roots in the Caucasus. He gave benefit concerts for victims of the tragedies in both Beslan and Tskhinvali.
