Search - Aram Khachaturian, Dmitry Shostakovich, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky :: Rostropovich Plays Khachaturian, Shostakovich & Tchaikovsky

Rostropovich Playing Two Western Premiere Works

D. A Wend | Buffalo Grove, IL USA | 06/07/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The interesting piece on this CD for me is the Khachaturian Concerto Rhapsody for Cello and Orchestra. Reviews that I have read concerning this disc have downplayed this work as not very important but well played. I have loved Khachaturian's music for many years and find his melodies very appealing. Since 1948, when Soviet artists were denounced, it is said he has played it safe and written works acceptable to the Party. At times, he does extend his compositions a bit too long. While he may not be thought of as a great composer Khachaturian did write a lot of music that is fun to listen to. I found the Concerto Rhapsody to be a good showpiece for the cello with some great writing for the orchestra. It dates from 1963 and was written for Mstislav Rostropovich and here he gives it a wonderful performance - the Western premiere of this piece. It goes without saying that Rostropovich turns in another remarkable performance of the Shostakovich Second Cello concerto, another work written for him in 1966. This is a darker work that the First concerto, a reaction to the heart attach Shostakovich suffered. This is also the Western premiere of this concerto following the Moscow performance conducted by Svetlanov. Equally brilliant is the playing in the Rococo Variations of Tchaikovsky. Sir Colin Davis is the conductor in the Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky, and elicits some great playing from the BBC Symphony and the London Symphony. These are live performances but there is no audience noise beyond applause at the end of each work and the first movement of the Shostakovich concerto. The transfer is excellent.In all, this is a great CD of particular interest for the Khachaturian but no less for the more familiar Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky."