Shostakovich Britten Previn - Shostakovich Britten Symphonies 4 5 Four Sea Interludes (15 tracks) +Album Reviews

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Shostakovich, Britten, Previn
Shostakovich & Britten / Symphonies 4 & 5 / Four Sea Interludes
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (7) - Disc #1
1. Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4 In C Minor, Op. 43, I - Allegretto Poco Moderato - Presto - (Tempo I)
2. Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4 In C Minor, Op. 43, II - Moderato con moto
3. Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4 In C Minor, Op. 43, III Largo - Allegro
4. Benjamin Britten: Four Sea Interludes From, aus, de 'Peter Grimes', Op. 33a, I - Dawn (Lento e Tranquillo)
5. Benjamin Britten: Four Sea Interludes From, aus, de 'Peter Grimes', Op. 33a, II - Sunday Morning (Allegro spiritoso)
6. Benjamin Britten: Four Sea Interludes From, aus, de 'Peter Grimes', Op. 33a, III - Moonlight (Andate comodo e rubato)
7. Benjamin Britten: Four Sea Interludes From, aus, de 'Peter Grimes', Op. 33a, IV - Storm (Presto con fuoco)
Track Listings (8) - Disc #2
1. Dmitri Shostakovich: Passacaglia from, aus, de
2. Dmitri Shostakovich: Sifonia da Requiem, Op.20 I - Lachrymosa (Andante ben misurato)
3. Dmitri Shostakovich: Sifonia da Requiem, Op.20 II - Dies Irae (allegro con moto)
4. Benjamin Britten: Sifonia da Requiem, Op.20 III - Requiem aeternam (Andante molto tranquillo)
5. Benjamin Britten: Symphony No.5 in D mino, Op. 47 I - Moderato - Allegro non troppo
6. Benjamin Britten: Symphony No.5 in D mino, Op. 47 II Allegretto
7. Benjamin Britten: Symphony No.5 in D mino, Op. 47 III Largo
8. Benjamin Britten: Symphony No.5 in D mino, Op. 47 IV - Allegro non troppo

CD Details

All Artists: Shostakovich, Britten, Previn, Cso, Lso
Title: Shostakovich & Britten / Symphonies 4 & 5 / Four Sea Interludes
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: EMI Classics
Release Date: 8/11/1998
Genre: Classical
Styles: Historical Periods, Modern, 20th, & 21st Century, Symphonies
Number of Discs: 2
SwapaCD Credits: 2
UPC: 724357265829

CD Reviews

Wow!!!

03/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one incredible CD! Both orchestras are at the top of their game and the pieces are outstanding. Probably the "eye-catcher" on this album is Shostakovich's 5th symphony and this is one of my favorite performances, even though their are a couple tempos I would like to hear differently. The whole Chicago Symphony Orchestra, however, plays to their fullest and the brass climaxes are the best I've heard.The Britten pieces are very beautiful compositions and are well worth listening to, but for me the most brilliant thing on this CD is Shostakovich's 4th symphony. This piece was written at the height of his political fury with Stalinist Russia and the music certainly tells all. This is one of the angriest pieces I've ever heard, and one of the most exciting. This performance, too is absolutely incredible. The string (and then tutti) fugue in the middle of the first movements is one of the most intense musical experiences I've had. The whole work is a true masterpiece and will leave you floored. Buy this CD. Of my 250 classical orchestral CDs, it's one of my favorites.Note: to any brass player thinking about this CD, it's a must have. A MUST HAVE!!!!!!"

Outstanding!

sam1858 | Texas, USA | 03/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is a must have on one's shelf. The clarity and precision of the performers is formidable. Both the CSO and LSO deliver and make this CD duo a terrific buy. I highly recommend it. Totally worth it.

Shostakovich 4 & 5 are simply and utterly outstanding! The CSO is superb in their playing and truly convey the ironic sarcasm that both the 4th and 5th need. The CSO brass, simply amazing; the 1st movement of the Fourth, carries on with great power and vigor just as it should be.

Britten, performed by the LSO, is also incredible, though I am not a great fan of Britten, I still listen to Britten simply for the sake that the LSO gives it all.

There is power, precision, utter clarity, outstanding balance, and dynamics from both orchestras. Yet for my taste, and I know SOME will agree, is that Previn's tempi are a bit on the conservative side, which in my opinion does not allow for much excitement to happen. That would be my only "but." Yet, I totally, 100% recommend this recording to anyone and ENJOY!"

Stunning! Unbelievable!

R. Lane | Tracy, CA USA | 03/14/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Andre Previn is undeniably the best interpreter of 20th century Russian music the West has ever had. His recordings of Shostakovich, Prokofiev, and Rachmaninov are of definitive quality almost without exception.
Combine that with the excellences of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and you get an experience that is almost unreal. The brass from the CSO under Previn's insightful direction yield a treasure trove of magnificence. The only shame is that this is the full extent of the combination. I could go on and on with "if only" thoughts about the Previn-CSO coupling."