Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 "Leningrad"

Dmitry Shostakovich (Composer), Yuri Temirkanov (Conductor), St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Yuri Temirkanov
• Composer: Dmitry Shostakovich
• Audio CD (January 16, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000003FOZ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #306,495 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Power and the Energy Emerge from this Leningrad!, April 1, 2005

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 "Leningrad" (Audio CD)

Yuri Temirkanov is a unique conductor. Seemingly less interested in fame and wide exposure through many recordings, he is none the less one of the old school masters of conducting. Hearing this gentleman live with a really superb orchestra is a lesson in passion. At a recent guest conducting post with the Los Angeles Philharmonic he proved that he can cajole more interpretive ideas from works as varying as the Ravel "Le tombeau de Couperin" and Debussy's "La Mer" as he can from his own standards such as the collection of scenes from Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake". With no baton and minimal gestures he communicates with an orchestra as an alchemist. His tempi may be whirlwind and his attention to overall architecture of a work may not be wholly satisfying, but the inner phrases which he courts are splendidly realized.

Such is definitely the case with this phenomenal recording of Shostakovich's Leningrad symphony. Where others (such as Gergiev and Haitink) may have the work more in cohesive form, Temirkanov spills the soul and the anguish and the Russian spirit into the piece from the first notes. His approach seems to search out the drama, pause for reflection, then push forward to the climaxes. Doubtless a good part of this attention to hidden nuances is his long association with the work with his own St Petersberg Philharmonic Orchestra. He is on home ground here with his own band and the vision is clear.

For those who long to explore the drama of Shostakovich's works, this is definitely a recording to have in library. And with relatively few recordings that give us entry into this iconoclastic conductor, this recording is a must. Grady Harp, April 05

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LENINGRAD No 7 restored by Temirkanov, October 3, 2006

By 

N. Smith "Neil Smith, Muso" (Manchester, UK) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 "Leningrad" (Audio CD)

This is excellent; the best; the most dynamic; the most interesting and different and yet the most searching and moving account I ever heard. Temirkanov makes the pounding, relentless March seem so malevolent. The Adagio is very fine and equals any other but the Finale brings out the 'divine retribution' element and is the most perfect epic-film music for those Soviet tanks, charging out onto the enemy. The brass tuning seems to mix in with the cacophony of War and brings out wild and even sardonic overtones, almost as if Dimitri S is trying to say "You think you have got Leningrad; just wait a while" Temirkanov is a master of balance of sonority like no other and he should be a great star. This disc has power, majesty, gravity and deep spiritual turmoil present and should not be missed. Neil Smith, Manchester UK

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yuri brings me to Leningrad, December 20, 2002

By 

"classicaljc" (North Point,, Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 "Leningrad" (Audio CD)

I felt like I am in Leningrad every time when I hear this music.
Who else can conduct Shostakovich symphonies as good as Mr. Temirkanov. A superb symphony and a superb conductor. Please come to Hong Kong again and play this piece live for us.