Search - Dmitry Shostakovich :: Shostakovich: Complete Symphonies

Remarkable cycle of Shostakovich's complete symphonies plus

Y.P. | Mount Messiaen, Utah | 05/28/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"No matter what one's view of Kondrashin as a conductor is, there is no denying that he is one of the authoritative interpreters of Shostakovich, if ever there is one. Shostakovich's symphonies are forever linked to the names like Yevgeny Mravinsky and Kirill Kondrashin. Indeed, Shostakovich was in Kondrashin's concert and was impressed enough to invite Kondrashin to lead the premiere performance of his Symphony No.4 (and later No.13.)



This box of 11 CDs contains all Kondrashin's studio recordings (for Melodiya from 1965 to 1975) on Shostakovich. Besides the complete symphony cycle, it also includes

(1) Cantata "The sun shines on our motherland" Op.90

(2) Symphonic Poem "The execution of Stepan Razin" Op.119

(3) Symphonic poem "October" Op.131

(4) Violin Concerto No. 2 in c sharp minor Op.129 (with David Oistrakh)



The performances here are generally quite good. The tempos are brisk, and in most cases faster than Mravinsky by more than a few minutes, which likely makes this cycle among the fastest ever recorded. Kondrashin's main partner, Moscow Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, plays with precision if not always ultra-refinement under his baton. It's obviously a matter of personal taste in declaring "favorites", but I will single out Symphonies Nos. 1-4 and 13-15 as truly great performances (to my limited knowledge of course.) The performances of the symphonic poem "The execution of Stepan Razin" and the violin concerto No.2 (with David Oistrakh) are also first rate and truly memorable.



The recording sound is the typical "Melodiya stereo" of the period, although it is quite acceptable and much better than the Mravinsky box-set of Shostakovich Symphonies Nos. 5-8, 10-12, 15.



It was said that each budget box has to have some black spots, and for this set there are a few indeed. The flimsiness of the box is appalling, even compared with the current low standard in the industry. The booklet contains an essay about Shostakovich's symphonies and nothing else. In particular, NO TEXTS are provided for vocal symphonies or the cantata. The track list and recording info are printed on the back of the cardboard sleeves instead. At this price, it is almost forgivable, although I'd prefer to have texts and translations instead of the essay, which I did not find particularly useful.(*) The only bright spot of the packaging is the 11 woodcut art-works by Soviet artists printed on the front of the sleeves. They are in some cases related to the "programs" of the symphonies.



I was quite surprised that there was no review of this box, and decided to put a short review of this remarkable box.(**) If my personal experience can be any guide, this is the set one can enjoy and learn from. My understanding of Shostakovich's symphonic works has deepened by going through this set and by comparing it with some of the Bernstein's and Mravinsky's performances, mainly because they are so different and yet each is convincing in its own way.



For any devoted fans of Shostakovich's (symphonic) works, this set is a compulsory purchase. For the casual listeners, this set ought to be in your short list when considering Shostakovich's symphony cycles.



Highly recommended.



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(*) That wasn't a big problem to me, at least for vocal symphonies, as I have other CDs with the texts. Furthermore, it should not be too hard to find adequate texts/translations online.



(**) The set I went through is a library copy published in 2006, not the November 2008 edition Amazon is carrying, although they have the same cover. I have therefore assumed that they are identical. (I ordered it from a third party seller but it hasn't turned up. Meanwhile, being really impatient, I checked out the set from the library.)"