Santtu-Matias Rouvali is rapidly proving to be one of the most exciting conductors of his generation. Kudos, then, to Philharmonia Orchestra, which snapped him up to be its principal conductor from the 2021/22 season. This live recording with the Philharmonia of Prokofiev’s greatest symphony delivers on the promise shown. This is one of Prokofiev’s most vivid scores—from the intense, epic first movement to its satirical, fiery scherzo and a poignant slow movement that ranks among the composer’s most beautiful. Rouvali’s control of the orchestra is breathtaking—every orchestral line exquisitely crafted, every change of mood deftly navigated. And it’s all captured in vivid, vibrant recorded sound.