Search - Dmitry Shostakovich, Mariss Jansons, Mikhail Rudy :: Shostakovich: Symphony No. 15; Piano Concerto No. 2, Op102; Gadfly Suite Op97a

A luscious concerto

Alejandra Vernon | Long Beach, California | 08/24/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Symphony # 15 starts out with a jovial 1st movement, even borrowing the theme from Rossini's "William Tell Overture" for an added touch of humor...the 2nd movement is a complete contrast, sad and somber, with a dirge-like melody played by the brass section, and with echoes of his 5th symphony. The 3rd returns to being lighter in feeling, and in the 4th, he borrows more themes, this time from Wagner. The 2nd Piano Concerto is a big favorite of mine, and here played well by Mikhail Rudy. Shostakovich wrote it for his son's 19th birthday (pianist/conductor Maxim Shostakovich), and it's incredibly melodic, with a glorious 2nd movement. Sadly neglected, way too many people (even musicians !) don't even know this magnificent concerto even exists. The final piece is from a film score and is lovely and melodic. I'm giving this CD 4 stars because of the sound. I don't mind recordings sounding "old", but this one, recorded in 1997, is flat, and lacks clarity. It's also very low in sound...I have to increase the volume to hear it...and it doesn't do the LPO, Jansons or Rudy justice.
"

Excellent performance of the Second Concert!

Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 08/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have always thought the Adagio of this sublime concert is a real future jump . Consider in this sense the Andante of the Mozart ninth concerto , the Lento of the Bach arrangement fifth piano concerto or Beethoven second movement of his third piano concerto.

Shostakovich composed something deepes than a simlpe 19 th anniversary for his son . He was thinking in the future . This movement is loaded of cosmic nuance and nosthalgical high level moods .

The couple Jasnson Rudy works out to the perfection .

Michail Rudy is one of the strange pianists of today who seem to isolate of the rest of the standard . His sound does not seek effectism . He is an absolut artist , deeply involved in the meaning of every bar and the sense of every work he plays .

It is not a question related with the technicianship , it is much more than that . He assumes a real commitment with the score . I knew thanks to a Liszt recordings and his pianism surprised me positively .

His inmense skills and deep musical thought makes from him a real hope in this great universe of countless performers, but where only a few have something to say .

"