Customer Reviews

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Penguin tagged a 3 star rating on this recording and it's not hard to see why. the sound quality is excellent and the orchestra's playing is top notch. This particular recording is a notch faster than all others I have heard. if you are used to Bernstein CSO, prepare to be shocked at the tempi. The opening is wonderful, full of joyous energy and it soars very well into the slow sections. The march halfway through the movement starts off very well and exciting. However, around the key change, Jarvi gets a bit too excited and goes faster then the established tempo and the orchestra becomes a bit out of synch leading to a mush of sound at the climax. the rest of the movement resolves very well, though. the second movement is wonderfully paced and I wouldn't hesitate to rank it as the best 2nd movement available. the 3rd movement is wonderfully played as well and the 4th movement starts off very well. however, the biggest problem with this recording is that the finale is too fast. there is a lot of magic orchestrated into the finale and it can't be felt if it is rushed. On the other hand, this is still a great recording.

This is one of the most shocking, implacable and devastating 7ths ever
recorded. Maestro Järvi is one of the greatest Shostakovich conductors
and he shows the most of his knowledge on this music with this awesome
recording. He takes brisky and quick tempi that are however superbly
judged and controlled. The sound of strings, brass and percussion are
like a heart attack and the lyrical and quiet passages are like the time
of pain relief. Seldom has this music been taken to these extremes. Don't
have enough words to recommend it so highly.