Valery Gergiev is Russia’s finest contemporary conductor and has worked with many famous international orchestras and soloists. In this stirring rendition of Prokofiev’s symphonies 1-7, recorded with the London Symphony orchestra, he is on fine form – as are the LSO, as he works his magic through the composer’s often thunderous scores. Born in 1953, Gergiev is general director and artistic director of the Mariinsky Theatre, principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, and principal guest conductor of the Metropolitan Opera, as well as the artistic director of the White Nights Festival in St. Petersburg. This collection is a great introduction both to his musical legacy and also as a platform for enjoying the works of Russia’s greatest 20th century composer.