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Shostakovich: Cello Concertos 1 & 2
Dmitry Shostakovich, Konstantin Krimets, Russian Philharmonic Orchestra
Shostakovich: Cello Concertos 1 & 2
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (7) - Disc #1

These central works of cello literature are interpreted here by a master ? Kyrill Rodin was awarded not only First Prize, but also Gold Medal, at the 1986 Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. Since then, Rodin has been one o...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Dmitry Shostakovich, Konstantin Krimets, Russian Philharmonic Orchestra
Title: Shostakovich: Cello Concertos 1 & 2
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Arte Nova Classics
Original Release Date: 1/1/2006
Re-Release Date: 6/13/2006
Genre: Classical
Styles: Chamber Music, Forms & Genres, Concertos, Historical Periods, Classical (c.1770-1830), Instruments, Strings
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 723721222659

Synopsis

Album Description
These central works of cello literature are interpreted here by a master ? Kyrill Rodin was awarded not only First Prize, but also Gold Medal, at the 1986 Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. Since then, Rodin has been one of the most sought-after soloists in Russia, the former Soviet states, and many other European countries. The Russian Philharmonic Orchestra was founded by Igor Oistrakh, Yuri Temirkanov and a union of concert workers. Many famous conductors have worked with the orchestra, including Svetlanov, Rozhdestvensky, Kondrashin, Kitaenko and Fedoseyev. They have made over 100 CDs. In 1959, soon after the completion of the Symphony No. 11, Shostakovich wrote his Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major Op. 107; he dedicated it to Mstislav Rostropovich, who premiered the work. The Cello Concerto No. 2 in G major Op. 126 is also dedicated to Rostropovich. The composer created it between two vocal soloist/choral symphonies while seeking rejuvenation in a sanatorium in Yalta in 1966.

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CD Reviews

Superb Interpretation of Two 20th Century Masterpieces
Classicalfan | Reston, VA USA | 07/16/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I heard this 1996 recording of these two concertos after having first heard the 1984 recording by Heinrich Schiff, with the composer's son, Maxim Shostakovich, conducting.



The main difference I immediately noticed in these two performances is that Schiff's is somewhat more restrained in the Allegretto and Allegro movements. This is most noticeable in the first movement (Allegretto) of Cello Concerto No. 1, where the sound of the cello is more sharply delineated and set off from the orchestra in the Rodin recording, and there is more of a feeling of tension, and urgency, in the interpretation. This impression may also be the result of differences in recording technology and sound engineering, as much as differences in performance style. The pizzicato sections sound more clear on this recording than on the earlier recording by Schiff. On the other hand, the percussion sounds more clear and powerful on the Schiff recording.



On the whole, the Schiff interpretation is a bit more restrained, and has a very smooth finish, which is not to say that Rodin's interpretation is by any means unpolished. Both CDs have a poetic lyricism, with a feeling of dark beauty and intimacy in the slow movements (especially the first, Largo movement of Concerto No. 2) that is quite beautiful. Rodin's performance conveys a bit more of a feeling of intensity than Schiff's in the fast movements. But, in the slow movements, the Rodin CD actually has much longer timings, with the second (Moderato) movement of Concerto No. 1 at 12:57, in comparison to 11:03 for Schiff. The greatest difference in timings is in the third (Finale: Allegretto) section of Concerto No. 2, with Rodin at 21:08 compared to 15:19 for Schiff. The quality of the sound on the Rodin CD, especially on the high notes, and most noticeably in the wind and horn sections is exceptionally sharp and crystal clear on the Rodin recording. Both CDs have an excellent balance between the soloist and orchestra.



I have listened to and greatly enjoyed both CDs several times, sometimes listening to one movement of the Rodin/Krimets CD and then immediately listening to the same movement by Schiff/Shostakovich, and comparing the differences between the two CDs. At this point, I still don't have a preference. Both performances are outstanding. I give both CDs my highest recommendation and, ideally, recommend getting both and enjoying the differences in the performances. Total Playing Time on Rodin/Krimets = 71:40. Total Playing Time on Schiff/Shostakovich = 61:16."