Search - Shostakovich, Skrowaczewski, Halle Orchestra :: Symphonies 1 & 6

A split decision--spectacular sound but humdrum performances

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 02/13/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"If only Skowaczewski could inject more life into his conducting. His versions of the Shostakovich First and Sixth Sym. are exactly alike: a humdrum sequence of events without emotional conviciton, the low point being the end of the Sixth's first movement, which comes close to sleepwalking.



The recording would be pointless except for the amazing sonics. The Halle had sounded amazingly good on a live Billy Budd under Kent Nagano (Erato) a few years ago, and if anything they sound better here. The orchestra itself isn't first rate, but somebody has figure out how to record them with superb presence, detail, and impact. So if you don't mind literalist readings of the music, this CD is of demonstration qualaity sonically."

Brilliant, scintillating, delightful!

Gary D. Warner | Saginaw, MI | 01/26/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Make no mistake, this Shostakovich disc is worthy of every right to be one of the front runners out there among the big boys.



What an astonishing composer this youngster was when he hit the ground running, to say the least, with his first foray into the symphonic realm. Don't even think about words like 'fledgling' or 'freshman'. You will find no lack of sophistication or maturity in Symphony #1, which he began writing at age 18! Its premiere touched off a global blaze of fame which began establishing Shostakovich as one of the greatest symphonists of the 20th century.



"The Halle" (oldest professional orchestra in Great Britain) proves its mettle in these stellar performances. Altogether excellent, I likewise find no dearth of passion in either of these now personal favorites among Shostakovich symphonies.



Make sure you crank this puppy to at least a "live" level. If the exceptional, seriously spectacular sonics don't give you some goose pimples atop your duck bumps, be alarmed, get help and have your pulse checked before you keel over!"