Search - Shostakovich, Ashkenazy, Rpo :: Symphony 10 " Chamber "

Ashkenazy and Shostakovich: A Fine Pairing

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 03/22/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Why this 1991 released recording of Vladimir Ashkenazy conducting the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Shostakovich's Chamber Symphony and his Symphony No. 10 has been deleted is anybody's guess. Perhaps now that Ashkenazy is the principal conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in Australia since 2009 he is deciding to release his newer interpretations of his favorite composers. On a recent radio broadcast there was a live performance of Ashkenazy conducting his new home orchestra in the Shostakovich #10 and that experience of hearing the work anew under his baton should send music lovers out looking for this recording made in 1989 and 1990.



The pairing of the Chamber Symphony with the 10th symphony is wise as it provides a fine contrast in moods. Ashkenazy is able to convince with his quietly tender moments of the Chamber symphony as well as allow us to discover all the whirling thrills and depths of emotion of the 10th. The orchestration of the 10th is as intricately detailed as any of his symphonies and yet the glory of the work is not limited to these: the bigger emotions are brought out with a very lush sound from the Royal Philharmonic.



Perhaps it is Ashkenazy's years as a pianist and chamber music artist that makes his performance for the Chamber Symphony (a transcription by Rudolf Barshai of the composer's String Quartet No. 8 for string orchestra) so right. The five movement piece is played without breaks and the sound is that of Shostakovich sharing his responses to the victims of fascism and war. The mood is almost unbearably beautiful. Until Ashkenazy records his interpretation of these works with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra this CD is well worth a search. Grady Harp, March 10"