Neeme Järvi conducts the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in these two monumental Prokofiev orchestral works from 1988. Alexander Nevsky, originally a film score recast as a cantata, features mezzo-soprano Linda Finnie and the BBC Welsh Chorus in a powerfully dramatic work that blends Russian folk elements with Prokofiev's modernist edge. The Scythian Suite is darker and more violent, a pagan ritual transformed into orchestral mayhem. Järvi's interpretations are characteristically vivid and clear, with excellent orchestral playing that captures both the lyrical warmth and sharp dissonance these works demand. Both pieces showcase Prokofiev's gift for creating visceral, deeply human music from historical subjects. Essential for modern classical enthusiasts.