BWW Reviews: ALEXANDER NEVSKY with Music by Prokofiev Performed by BSO

What a night it was for cinephiles and classical music lovers. It was a sandwich comprised of what is considered one of the best 100 films of all time, ALEXANDER NEVSKY along with a powerful score by noted classical composer Sergei Prokofiev.

I really didn't know what to expect watching a film on a screen above BSO Music Director Marin Alsop. In front of her music were two computers in which she could get the music clues for the brilliant score by one of the most famous Russian composers. Signs in the lobby made it clear that there would be NO intermission so therefore the BSO would be playing almost continuously for almost two hours. I wondered how Alsop would react. And when it was over, I've never seen her look more exhausted. Just imagine conducting for such a long period without a break.

But what a job she did conducting the terrific BSO and the Baltimore Choral Arts Society. What a trio - a film, music, and a chorus.

This was the second time the BSO presented the film with the score. It was done about 10 years ago with then BSO Music Director Youri Temirkanov who has recorded the music with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic and Chorus.

The 1938 film was directed by Sergei Eisenstein and is considered a landmark of Russian cinema. Prokofiev had just returned from a trip to Hollywood where he had been investigating new sound techniques and had fallen in love with Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs".

So when he was asked by Director Eisenstein to write the music, he was elated. They worked on the film for a six month period in 1938 sometimes Prokofiev writing the music first and sometimes writing music for what was on the screen. It was a happy and successful collaberation.

Both the composer and director were well aware of the importance of being successful with Joseph Stalin looming large. They were both in danger of serious repercussions unless they delivered what Stalin wanted, a heroic tale about an heroic figure from the 13th century, Alexander Nevsky.

Originally from Boston, Charles' first college show was "Barefoot in the Park," he played the role of the telephone repairman. Next came "How to Succeed..." in which he played in the ensemble and then Chairman of the Board. He appeared in "Fiddler on the Roof" at the White Marsh Dinner Theatre as Lazar Wolf. Charles' daughter Britt played one of Tevye's younger daughters. Britt later completed a five year stint in Broadway's "Mamma Mia!" as the Sophie understudy. Charles conducts theatre trips to Broadway shows as the "Shubow Shuttle."