Shostakovich – Alto CD

Shostakovich Piano Concertos 1&2; Concertino for Two Pianos; Piano Trio no.2

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:46:18 +0000

“We present a legendary cast of soloists in a selection of the Composer’s piano works, including the rare Concertino, written for and played with his son Maxim. [Concerto No.2] “performance brilliant by any standards, completely in sympathy with both concertos … in Shostakovich I don’t think it is merely the stereo sound that gives Bernstein the extra brilliance and vivacity … while the ensemble with the New York orchestra is spot on.” (Gramophone)

Piano Concerto No.1 in C minor, Op.35 [21:56]

[1] Allegro moderato 5:51 [2] Lento 7:43

[3] Moderato 1:53 [4] Allegro con brio 6:28

Piano Trio No.2 in E minor, Op.67 [23:44]

[5] Andante 6:50 [6] Allegro con brio 2:50

[7] Largo 4:19 [8[ Allegretto 9:44

[9] Concertino in A minor for 2 pianos, Op.94 [7:50]

Piano Concerto No.2 in F major, Op.102 [19:02]

[10] Allegro 7:09 [11] Andante 6:32

[12] Allegro 5:21

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 13 ‘Babi Yar’ Incidental Music for King Lear, Op. 58a

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:46:17 +0000

Shostakovich: Incidental Music for King Lear, Op. 58a

[1] Return from the Hunt 0:52

[2] At the Hut 2:04

[3] In Regan’s Castle 1:16

[4] The Camp 1:23

[5] March 1:36

[6] Trumpets 1:21

[7] Cordelia’s Ballad* 4:37

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 13 ‘Babi Yar’

for Bass, Chorus and Orchestra, Op. 113

[8] Babi Yar 14:55

[9] Humour 7:49

[10] In the Shop 10:58

[11] Terror 10:23

[12] Quarry 11:36

Shostakovich: Symphony No.11 ‘The Year 1905’

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:44:06 +0000

“A superb performance with excellent sound makes this a benchmark recording and my top CD choice of the year. Shostakovich fans ignore this release at their peril !” (MusicWeb) “A searing new live account by Rostropovich, well-recorded and unmissable – (he) has something unique to say about this work, transcending any doubts about his conducting … the finale is articulated with tremendous cut and thrust, the sheer heft of the strings mightily impressive … the brass project powerfully as they do in real life, the woodwind audibly composed of individual stylists, the strings sound virile. It’s all here … Play loud or not at all.” (Gramophone)

[1] I. Palace Square: Adagio 20:18
[2] II. 9th January: Allegro 21:40
[3] III. In memoriam: Adagio 13:15
[4] IV. Tocsin: Allegro non troppo 17:19

Shostakovich: Symphonies 1 & 3 (‘1st of May’)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:43:43 +0000

(Sym.1) “a good performance, with a strong feeling of chamber music to it and a remarkable attention to (occasionally exaggeration of) the quieter dynamic markings (Sym.3) “a much better recorded account of the Third Symphony, is brilliantly played and very vividly characterized . I was particularly struck by Rozhdestvensky’s use of solo instead of tutti strings in the slow section (with what justification I have no idea , but it is poignantly effective) and by his powerful dramatization of those huge orchestral recitatives that prepare for the choral finale: they are massively and balefully eloquent, qualities that rivals miss by taking them very fast.” (Gramophone)

Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, Op. 20 ‘The First of May’
(‘Pervomayskaya’) Words from original poem by S. Kirsanov
[5] Allegretto – Allegro
[6] Andante

Great Russian String Quartets

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:36 +0000

(Borodin) “movement-by-movement comparison makes it clear that …the Borodins win hands down … their internal balance at every point is irreproachable (Gramophone) (Glazunov): “reconciliation between the traditions of Borodin and Tchaikovsky … Shostakovich Quartet have great feeling for this music and play with real conviction” (Penguin Guide); (Tchaikovsky): “their earlier recordings (as here) are unassailable recommendations. Look no further” (Penguin Guide); (Prokofiev): “an excellent performance, which at times even matches the abandon and attack of the Hollywoods. The Second a work of real quality which has the astringent flavouring and poetic flair that characterize Prokofiev at his best” (Gramophone) (Shostakovich): “(They)…bring a special intensity to this repertoire as well as effortless technical address, and a tonal blend which gives their readings a strong claim on the collector’s allegiance.” (©Penguin Guide 3 stars)

Alexander Borodin (1833-87) Disc A
STRING QUARTETS No.l (1877-9) and No.2 (1881)

String Quartet No.1 in A major
[1] Moderato – Allegro 13:40
[2] Andante con moto 8:20
[3] Scherzo: Prestissimo 5:25
[4] Andante – Allegro risoluto 10:34
String Quartet No.2 in D major
[5] Allegro moderato 7:53
[6] Scherzo: Allegro 4:47
[7] Nocturne: Andante 8:12
[8] Finale: Andante – Vivace 6:51
ALEXANDER GLAZUNOV (1865-1936) Disc B
String Quartets No. 3 in G major op.26 “Slavonic”;
No.5 in D minor Op.70; Music From “The Fridays”
String Quartet No.3 in G major, Op.26 (28:04)
[1] I. Moderato 5:37
[2] II. Interlude. Moderato 5:14
[3] III. In Mazurka Style. Allegretto 6:00
[4] IV. Finale. Une fete slave. Allegro moderato 11:12
String Quartet No.5 in D minor, Op.70 (28:53)
[5] I. Andante – Allegro 9:19
[6] II. Scherzo. Allegretto 4:22
[7] III. Adagio 8:04
[8] IV. Finale. Allegro 7:06
“The Fridays” cycle for String Quartet:
[09] Prelude & Fugue (Book 1, No.1) 10:22
[10] Kuranta (Book II, No.6) 2:04
SERGEI PROKOFIEV (1891-1953) Disc C
String Quartets Nos.1 & 2
String Quartet No.l in B minor, Op.50 (26:21)
1. Allegro 8 :07
2. Andante molto. Vivace 7:00
3. Andante 11:09
String Quartet No.2 in F major, Op.92 (23:40)
4. Allegro sostenuto 6:33
5. Adagio 8:26
6. Allegro 8:37
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-93) Disc D
String Quartets No.1, No.2
String Quartet No.1 in D major, Op.11
[1] Moderato e semplice 10:26
[2] Andante cantabile 6:35
[3] Scherzo: Allegro non tanto 3:43
[4] Finale: Allegro giusto 6:42
String Quartet No.2 in F major, Op.22
[5] Adagio – Moderato assai 11:36
[6] Scherzo: Allegro giusto 5:23
[7] Andante ma non tanto 12:23
[8] Finale: Allegro con moto 5:42
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-75) Disc E
GREAT STRING QUARTETS Nos. 4, 8, 10
String Quartet No.4 in D Major, Op.83 (1949) 24:36
1. I. Allegretto 3:55
2. II. Andantino 7:18
3. III. Allegretto – IV. Allegretto 13:22
String Quartet No.8 in C Minor, Op.110 (1960) 20:53
4. I. Largo 4:39
5. II. Allegro molto 2:45
6. III. Allegretto 4:33
7. IV. Largo 5:28
8. V. Largo 3:26
String Quartet No.10 in Ab Major, Op.118 (1964) 23:57
9. I. Andante 4:10
10. II. Allegretto furioso 4:10
11. III. Adagio 6:34
12. IV. Allegretto – Andante 9:01
Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-75) Disc F
GREAT STRING QUARTETS Nos. 7, 9, 11, 13
String Quartet No.7 in F# Minor, Op.108 (1960)* 12:06
[1] I. Allegretto 3:17 [2] II. Lento 3:18
[3] III. Allegro – Allegretto 5:30
String Quartet No.9 in Eb Major, Op.117 (1964)* 28:22
[4] I. Moderato con moto 4:15 [5] II. Adagio 4:42
[6]. III. Allegretto 3:53 [7] IV. Adagio 4:42 [8] V. Allegro 10:47
String Quartet No.11 in F Minor, Op.122 (1966)** 16:38
[9] I. Introduction: Andantino 2:11 [10] II. Scherzo: Allegretto 2:40
[11] III. Recitative: Adagio 1:27 [12] IV. Etude: Allegro 1:15
[13] V. Humoresque: Adagio 1:08 [14] VI. Elegy: Adagio 4:31
[15] VII. Finale: Moderato 3:22
String Quartet No.13 in Bb Minor, Op.138 (1970)**
[16] Adagio – Doppio movimento – Tempo primo 18:12

Shostakovich (#1) & Myaskovsky Cello Concertos + Rococo Vars

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:42:12 +0000

(Shostakovich) ‘outstanding ‘cellist, with a poetry of expression matching an infallible technique, very well recorded … under the composer’s supervision’ (Gramophone) (Myaskovsky) ‘overwhelming sense of nostalgia and an elegiac atmosphere … Rostropovich’s pioneering account is in a class of its own … could not be played with greater eloquence and restraint’ (Penguin Guide) ‘The soloist for whom the work was written and whose artistry has plainly exercised influence, is Mstislav Rostropovich … the ‘cello the natural voice of his unusually mature and wise musicianship’. (Tchaikovsky) ‘brilliantly performed and a winningly whimsical quality’ (Gramophone)

Shostakovich: Cello Concerto in E flat, Op.107 (27:10)
[1] I. Allegretto 6:31
[2] II. Moderato 10:36
[3] III. Andantino – Allegro 5:29
[4] IV. Allegro non troppo 4:32
Myaskovsky: Cello Concerto in C minor, Op.66 (27:57)
[5] I. Lento, ma non troppo 10:57
[6] II. Allegro vivace 17:00
Tchaikovsky: ‘Rococo’ Variations, Op.35 (18:38)
[7] Variations on a Rococo Theme 18:38

Dmitri Shostakovich Great 6 Symphonies (4,5,7,8,10 & 15)

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:41:05 +0000

Dmitri Shostakovich Great 6 Symphonies (4,5,7,8,10 & 15)

Disc A of ALC 6004 (62:02)

- Symphony No.4 in C minor
  West German Radio Symphony Orchestra, Köln (WDR)
  Conducted by Rudolf Barshai
- Symphony No.4 in C minor, Op.43
- 1. Allegretto poco moderato 27:12
- 2. Moderato con moto 8:45
- 3. Largo – Allegro 26:04

Recorded: April & June 1996, Philharmonie, Köln, Germany
Producer: Christoph Held; Engineer: Siegfried Spittler. Project Consultant: Terry Holmes
Mastered for alto by Paul Arden-Taylor (www.dinmore-records.co.uk)

Disc B of ALC 6004 (73:29)

Symphony 5 / Excerpts from The Gadfly Suite
London Symphony Orchestra / Maxim Shostakovich
Music from the Gadfly (19:47)
[1] Overture 3:09
[2] Folk Feast (National Holiday) 2:31
[3] Barrel Organ Waltz 2:10
[4] Galop 1:44
[5] Romance 6:31
[6] Finale 3:40
Symphony No.5 in D minor, Op.47 (53:42)
[7] Moderato – Allegro non troppo 18:59
[8] Allegretto 5:20
[9] Largo 17:06
[10] Allegro non troppo – Allegro 12:15

Recorded Abbey Road London 1990/1991, formerly Collins Classics 1108-2, 1206-2
Licensed from Phoenix Music International Ltd
Mastered for alto by Paul Arden-Taylor (www.dinmore-records.co.uk)

Disc C of ALC 6004 (71:23)

Symphony No.7 in C major, Opus 60 “LENINGRAD”
USSR State Symphony Orchestra / Konstantin Ivanov

1. WAR, allegretto 26.31
2. MEMORIES, moderato (poco allegretto) 10.36
3. MY NATIVE FIELD, adagio 15.14
4. VICTORY, allegro non troppo 19.00

Recorded 1962 Studio 1 Moscow Radio
Engineer: L. Dneprovskaya
Licensed via A-Tempo/Aquarius, Prague
Remastered for alto by Paul Arden-Taylor
(www.dinmore-records.co.uk)

Disc D of ALC 6004 (61:13)

Symphony No.8 in C minor, Op.65
Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra / Yevgeny Mravinsky

Symphony No. 8
[1] i. Adagio 25.15
[2] ii. Allegretto 6.21
[3] iii. Allegro non troppo 6.25
[4] iv. Largo 9.51
[5] v. Allegretto 13.18

(recorded live 1982, Leningrad)
Legendary Recordings licensed from Leningrad Philharmonic via A-Tempo, Prague
Re-mastered by Paul Arden Taylor after advice on pitch by Mark Roberts (DSCH journal.com)

Disc E of ALC 6004 (60:00)

Symphony No.10 in E minor
London Symphony Orchestra / Maxim Shostakovich

[1] I. Moderato 27:19
[2] II. Scherzo: Allegro 4:32
[3] III. Allegretto – Largo 13:44
[4] IV. Andante – Allegro 13:45

Producer for Collins Classics: James Mallinson; Engineer: Simon Rhodes
Venue: Abbey Road Studios, London, Date: January 1990
Licensed via Phoenix International Ltd
Mastered for alto by Paul Arden-Taylor (www.dinmore-records.co.uk)

Disc F of ALC 6004 (70:21)

Violin Concerto No.2 / Symphony No.15
David Oistrakh (violin)
Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra / Kyrill Kondrashin

Violin Concerto No. 2 in C sharp minor Op. 129 (1967)
[1] Moderato 12:43
[2] Adagio 8:52
[3] Adagio-allegro 8:08
Symphony No.15 in A major, Op.141 (1971)
[4] Allegretto 7:07
[5] Adagio-largo-adagio-largo 13:52
[6] Allegretto 4:15
[7] Adagio-allegretto-adagio-allegretto 15:12

Symphony: recorded 17th May 1974 at Moscow Radio Concert Hall
Mastered for alto by Paul Arden-Taylor (www.dinmore-records.co.uk)
Licensed via A-Tempo Prague/Aquarius

Shostakovich Symphony No.8 in C minor, Op.65

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:38:49 +0000

Mravinsky’s live recording of the Eighth is of capital importance, since it was he who gave the work its premiere ….It is a performance of extraordinary vehemence and power, vivid contrast and bitter intensity. The curdled woodwind dissonances and huge climaxes of the first movement are given a shocking force not simply by sheer volume but by ….playing at the very limit of their powers: it is not often these days that we hear a clarinet or an oboe played so loudly ….. The fact this is a concert performance increases one’s respect for the risks taken: to expect trombones to play staccato at the furious tempo Mravinsky chooses ….is really living dangerously, but they respond superbly, as do the belligerently precise trumpets ….. a performance which sees clearly that the real burden of emotion here lies in the strings …..for a recapturing of the appalling shock this work must have caused (the Russians were expecting a “Victory Symphony”), Mravinsky’s account demands to be heard: the Leningrad audience is struck dumb by it.” ((c) Gramophone)

[1] i. Adagio 25.15
[2] ii. Allegretto 6.21
[3] iii. Allegro non troppo 6.25
[4] iv. Largo 9.51
[5] v. Allegretto 13.18

Shostakovich: Complete String Quartets

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:37:42 +0000

“(This Quartet)…bring a special intensity to this repertoire as well as an effortless technical address, and tonal blend which gives their readings a strong claim on the collector’s allegiance. We have responded to their cycle with appreciation….. and the recordings are very satisfactory indeed” ©Penguin Guide 3 stars
The staying power of the Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich’s string quartets rivals that of his symphonies. His quartets are deeply personal works – intensely autobiographical, confessional, intimate, intensely emotional – and among the most insightful works in the quartet repertoire.

String Quartet No. 4 in D, Op. 83

I. Allegretto 3:55
II. Andantino 7:18
III. Allegretto; IV. Allegretto 13:22

String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110

I. Largo 4:39
II. Allegro molto 2:45
III. Allegretto 4:33
IV. Largo 5:28
V. Largo 3:26

String Quartet No. 10 in Ab, Op. 118

I. Andante 4:10
II. Allegretto furioso 4:10
III. Adagio 6:34
IV. Allegretto – Andante 9:01

Two Pieces for String Quartet, Op. 36

I. Elegy (Adagio) 4:11
II. Polka (Allegretto) 2:18

String Quartet No. 1 in C, Op. 49

I. Moderato 4:18
II. Moderato 4:44
III. Allegro molto 1:53
IV. Allegro 2:50

String Quartet No. 5 in Bb, Op. 92

I. Allegro non troppo 11:00
II. Andante – Andantino 8:39
III. Moderato – Allegretto – Andante 10:41

String Quartet No. 9 in Eb, Op. 117

I. Moderato con moto 4:16
II. Adagio 4:42
III. Allegretto 3:53
IV. Adagio 4:42
V. Allegro 10:47

String Quartet No. 2 in A, Op. 68

I. Overture: Moderato con moto 8:10
II. Recitative & Romance: Adagio 11:09
III. Valse: Allegro 5:36
IV. Theme with variations: Adagio – Moderato con moto – Allegretto – Allegro non troppo – Allegro – Adagio 10:42

String Quartet No. 3 in F, Op. 73

I. Allegretto 6:34
II. Moderato con moto 4:56
III. Allegro non troppo 3:55
IV. Adagio; V. Moderato – Adagio 15:55

String Quartet No. 7 in F# minor, Op. 108

I. Allegretto 3:17
II. Lento 3:18
III. Allegro – Allegretto 5:30

String Quartet No. 6 in G, Op. 101

I. Allegretto 6:02
II. Moderato con moto 4:52
III. Lento 6:08
IV. Lento – Allegretto – Andante – Adagio 7:02

String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op. 122

I. Introduction: Andantino 2:11
II. Scherzo: Allegretto 2:40
III. Recitative: Adagio 1:27
IV. Etude: Allegro 1:15
V. Humoresque: Adagio 1:08
VI. Elegy: Adagio 4:31
VII. Finale: Moderato 3:22

String Quartet No. 15 in Eb minor, Op. 144

I. Elegy: Adagio 12:33
II. Serenade: Adagio 5:28
III. Intermezzo: Adagio 2:01
IV. Nocturne: Adagio 5:04
V. Funeral March: Adagio molto 4:55
VI. Epilogue: Adagio – Adagio molto 6:45

String Quartet No. 12 in Db, Op. 133

I. Moderato – Allegretto 8:03
II. Adagio – Moderato – Allegretto 19:44

String Quartet No. 13 in Bb minor, Op. 138 – Adagio – Doppio movimento – Tempo primo 18:10
String Quartet No. 14 in F#, Op. 142

I. Allegretto 8:49
II. Adagio 9:39
III. Allegretto – Adagio

Shostakovich: Symphony No.10

amuletts — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:36:36 +0000

“Maxim Shostakovich eschews histrionic gesture; there is much quiet eloquence, grandeur of outline and an impressive gravity to his soberly measured account of the first movement. … The scherzo is massively weighty, brutal but less pointedly vicious than usual. The centre of gravity of the finale and of this whole performance is clearly the intensely expressive paragraph which follows the towering statement of Shostakovich’s D-S-C-H monogram; Maxim’s earlier restraint has saved a great emotional burden for this moment, and it is deeply moving. … Maxim Shostakovich should be compared with Haitink for noble sobriety”—Gramophone

Alto returns this outstanding recording of Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony to international availability in this value-priced edition.

Dmitri Shostakovich

Symphony No.10 in e minor, Op.93

1 – Moderato 27:19
2 – Scherzo. Allegro vivace con delicatezza 4:32
3 – Allegretto–Largo 13:44
4 – Andante–Allegro 13:45

Producer: James Mallinson
Engineer: Simon Rhodes
Remastering: Paul Arden-Taylor
Originally released on Collins Classics