Customer Reviews

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 7 "Leningrad"

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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

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

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.

In comparison with other modern recordings, this is clearly the most interesting interpretation.

The Seventh is one of Shostakovich's "patriotic" (i.e., pro-Soviet) symphonies, along with the Eleventh and Twelfth. At this remove in history, they all smell a bit propagandistic, but the Seventh, which memorializes the siege of Leningrad in WW II, won wide approval when it was premiered, largely for politicl, anti-Nazi reasons. The charm quickly wore off, and for a long time nobody really touched this sometimes garish, sometimesshallow but grandly conceived work. It needs a totally committed performance under a great conductor, and here it gets just that. The sonics are among the best I've heard, equal to Temirkanov's Petrouchka, also recorded under the same circumstances.

P.S. 2010 -- The Signum label seems to be bringing out live readings under Temirkanov, and their second release is an even better Shostakovich Seventh than this one on RCA, with impeccable sound and 6 min. shorn off the third movement.

A dissenting view from a long-time Shostakovich fan who finally tossed out his copy of this CD after several tries. Among the many so-so available versions of this work this is the only one that consistently makes me cringe. Yes Mr. Temirkanov has a good reputation, but if you listen closely, the brass--very important in this work--is out of tune! How can a good conductor let this pass, I dont know; perhaps budget and time considerations. Otherwise, the playing is, for the most part, of fair quality and non descript; certainly nothing to write home about. I simply refuse to be impressed by the fact that this is a Russian performance of a Russian work. If that is such a big factor, why even bother listening to it? The actual performance is the main thing. In short: Good recording quality, subpar performance. The greatest Russian composer of the XXth Century deserves better than this.