Yuri Bashmet (Viola) : Brahms;Shostakovich

Johannes Brahms (Composer), Dmitry Shostakovich (Composer), Moscow Soloists (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Moscow Soloists
• Composer: Johannes Brahms, Dmitry Shostakovich
• Audio CD (October 27, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00000DFNR
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,559 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Viola Playing at its Best, November 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Yuri Bashmet (Viola) : Brahms;Shostakovich (Audio CD)

Yuri Bashmet has done a masterful job in transcirbing the Quintet for Clarinet and Strings in B minor, Opus 115 for Viola. The first movement is rich and warm, beautifully orchestrated. Thre second movement is heart-wrenching and I think, even more suited to the Viola than the Clarinet. Brahms would be proud to hear playing like this.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bashmet's live performance, March 20, 2000

By 

Sergey Pak (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yuri Bashmet (Viola) : Brahms;Shostakovich (Audio CD)

Please disregard the editorial column on this CD. Just listen to the music. Bashmet's transcription of the Brahm's quintet is great. The performance is absolutely stunning. Though I have to agree that the Shostakovich's piece on the CD can't be compared to the live performance I was so lucky to watch and listen day before. But what else could be a good replacement for live music? In the overall the disk is challenging for a first time listener but every single note will pay off if get into the music

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as the clarinet version, but still pretty good..., July 14, 2006

By 

Donald G. Hite III "clarinetist extraordinaire!" (Houston, Tx USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Yuri Bashmet (Viola) : Brahms;Shostakovich (Audio CD)

I bought this CD because I am a clarinetist who is learning the viola, and I really love the Brahms Clarinet Quintet.

I think that this quintet definitely works better with clarinet, although Bashmet has done a good job with this arrangement. The only real problem I have with it at times is that, in spots where all the strings are playing with the soloist, the solo viola part often gets lost in the texture. The solo line in this quintet often interweaves with the string parts and plays accompanimental lines. Even in the clarinet version, the texture can be a bit dense at times, but because of the clarinet's different tone color, it can still be heard. One spot where this is particularly noticeable is in the end of the first movement. The clarinet has some really cool runs, and they're completely lost in the texture when played on viola. Of course, even when the solo line is covered up, the music is still amazing and beautiful, so it's not that big of a deal.

It is in the places where the solo line is more exposed that Bashmet really shines. The 2nd movement, in particular, is wonderful and Bashmet plays it as well (if not better) than any clarinetist I've heard.

Bashmet places with a really beautiful sound. From the limited amount of viola recordings I've heard, it seems like many violist play with either a dull, sort of scratchy sound, or an overly bright and nasal sound. Bashmet does neither. His sound is always warm and round, without ever losing its clarity or projection.