What's so off about the intro to Prokofiev's Dance of the Knights?

Question

Now this question is by no means an attack on any conductor or orchestra, nor Prokofiev himself, but why does it seem that it's hard for everyone to get right into time with one another with this piece? In literally every recording and performance I've heard the timing is off, sometimes just barely, sometimes quite obviously. This [video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_hOR50u7ek) shows what I'm getting at, and particularly shows how the different registers of the brass section seem to be out of time with one another. Still, once everything gets going things click together, which leads me to believe it's just tricky timing. I'd really like a more professional answer beyond my own speculation.

Answer 1

Well I understand what you mean by that it feels off but the reason it also feels off is because in the sheet music it shows that they play off time from one another while one plays on the one the other plays on the ah or and's which creates a poly-rhythm which makes it feel off or in some cases wrong. While looking at the sheet music I personally noticed that it was just a call and response between the brass and strings. Plus it doesn't help that the strings play rhythms that ties from the and of 4 then goes into 1 of the next bar and changes notes on the ah of 1. So overall I think it was Prokofiev's intentions to make it feel unsettling and some what off in the beginning and through out the piece, and since there is a meter change it also shifts from a abrupt and strong presence to a more delicate 3/4 part that sets a tone then goes back to 4/4 and becomes a little more lyrical then the 3/4. Overall its just like you said which is just tricky timing and applying a phrase that is "Hear but don't listen."