Customer Reviews

Shostakovich: Complete Concertos

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This collection represents some of the finer recordings made of Shostakovich's concertos (that I have heard). They are by no means definitive, but the soloists' performances are superb (albeit, in places, idiosyncratic), the sound engineering is flawless, and each of the conductors displays a remarkable orchestral craftsmanship for some, at times, very irregular pieces.

Of particular merit are the first piano and violin concertos.

The composer himself set the standard for performance of the former, so, of course, it can't really be said that Peter Jablonsky does a "better" job of it, but he does an outstanding job, indeed. Raymond Simmons' trumpet performance is perfectly proportioned and wonderfully mixes with the piano and strings--it is at times lyrical and reserved, at times haunting (as uncommon an adjective that may be to describe a trumpet performance), at times lighthearted, but never overbearing, as the trumpet tends to be in performances in this piece.

The first violin concerto was dedicated to David Oistrakh, whose performance of it is widely considered paramount, but I actually prefer this one by Viktoria Mullova; Oistrakh's vibrato is too tremulous and his bowing too aggressive for my taste. Mullova is expressive without being melodramatic, articulate without being harsh. The immensity and sincerity of feeling in, particularly, the third movement passacaglia is of a degree not often achieved in music. Also--If one appreciates Mullova's interpretation of this piece, one ought also give Hilary Hahn's a try.

This two-CD set is an amazingly good purchase. The avid Shostakovich fan will appreciate the artful handling of these brilliant compositions, and it would serve, I imagine, as a wonderful introduction of his works to the new listener, as the concertos span the bulk of his career and reflect very well the evolution of his voice as a composer.

Fantastic buy. Very satisfied.

I only want to add to Kyle Meyer's review, since he neglected to say anything of the cello concertos (the main reason why I bought the set).

Heinrich Schiff plays with precision, capturing the feel and energy of the work making this recording absolutely riveting. He can be extremely clean, a term often applied to Yo-Yo Ma's playing and usually negatively so, but I don't think this is a bad quality. Personally, I would prefer to hear a little more risk in the first movement of the First Concerto (a performance by Han-Na Chang comes to mind), but am grateful for his passion and command of both the instrument and Shostakovich's concertos. However, unlike Chang, he makes the third movement cadenza sound easy (as with everything else).

The Second Concerto is equally as powerful as the first, but in a different way. If the First Concerto is a war, then the Second Concerto is the consequences of a war. Overall, it is desolate, melancholic, and ironically beautiful at times. The third movement horns play a macabre fanfare that leaves a chilling aftertaste in the listener's ears. The work ends like lights being turned off in a bedroom, suddenly and quietly (the only concerto to end without a bang).

So far, Schiff's renderings are my favorite. This collection immediately became one of my more valued CD's.

Also of note, Maxim Shostakovich conducts the cello concertos with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Maxim is brilliant, making both orchestra and cello come together like one well-oiled machine.

This 3-CD set is amazing! It is classic Shostakovich, and the quality of the playing is impeccable. I especially love the first cello concerto.

The Shostakovich concerto's although cheap is the set to buy from Amazon. The Violin concerto No 1 played with emotion and conviction by Viktoira Mullova is one of the highlights of the set, Andre Previn conducts the Royal Phil orchestra.This concerto is the most popular of the two violin concerto's.Gidon Kremer plays the No 2 with his usually mastery. Ozawa conducts the Boston Symphony orchestra.

Heinrich Schiff was the first cellist to couple these two concerto's. Maxim Shostakovich conducts the Bavarian Radio symphony orchestra.The first movement of the Cello concerto No 1 is well held together and the second its passion being conveyed well. The second Cello concerto no 2 comes between the 13th and 14th symphonies which the Soviet establishment did not like. It is a work of beauty and inner feeling and spare in its textures. A haunting piece. These two Cello pieces are worth the price on its own. The Piano concerto No 2 is played by Cristina Ortiz, Ashkenazy conducting the Royal Philharmonic orchestra. She gives a sparkling account of the cheerful first movement and brings out the fun and wit in the finale. A bargain. This is the set to have.