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Shostakovich Bare and Most Moving

Doreen | New York, NY | 06/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Say what you want about the massive DS symphonies-they are no doubt a cry for help, reflecting great depair and destitution. But they are also hopelessly contrived creatures artistically vacillating on the lines between the emotional outcry and contextual contradiction. Just listen to the 7th, 8th and 9th symphonies back to back! More pladuits are heaped on the 15 string quartets for their even greater emotional appeal, and also their intimacy.And intimacy is what I want to speak of here: From Jewish Folk Poetry contains a stunning need to communicate from the singers (Vishsnevskaya style), their voices are lacerating sharp- the mezzo Dolukhanova, sultry, the alto and tenor, heady and delightful. Yet this piece, and this particular release in particular conveys a shattering impact. The audio is suitably raw, transmitting much coldness and desolation.The recording is definitive: Shostakovich heads the piano while the singers are from the priemere. Tracks 3 (Lullaby) and 8 (Winter) are simply breathtaking. Haitink's recording on Decca cannot match the white heat here.Buy it for the Shostakovich, and also becoime enchanted with the other 16 tracks, concert relays from Dulukhanova singing music of a much more romantic vein. Wonderful."