Shostakovich: The Symphonies [Box Set] Vladimir Ashkenazy

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CD

  • Release Date: 07/10/2007
  • 12 Disc Set
  • Sales Rank: 26,091
  • Label: DECCA
  • UPC: 028947587484

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Track List
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Shostakovich: The Symphonies [Box Set]

Disc 1
1LISTENSymphony No. 1 in F minor
2LISTENSymphony No. 1 in F minor
3LISTENSymphony No. 1 in F minor
4LISTENSymphony No. 1 in F minor
5LISTENSymphony No. 6 in B minor
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Disc 2
1LISTENFestive Overture, for orc
2LISTENOctober, symphonic poem,
3LISTENSymphony No. 2 in B flat
4LISTENThe Song of the Forests,
5LISTENThe Song of the Forests,
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Disc 3
1LISTENSymphony No. 12 in D mino
2LISTENSymphony No. 12 in D mino
3LISTENSymphony No. 12 in D mino
4LISTENSymphony No. 12 in D mino
5LISTENSymphony No. 3 in E flat
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Disc 4
1LISTENSymphony No. 4 in C minor
2LISTENSymphony No. 4 in C minor
3LISTENSymphony No. 4 in C minor
4LISTENSymphony No. 4 in C minor
5LISTENSymphony No. 4 in C minor

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About this Artist

Editorial Reviews

Twenty years in the making, this 2007 cycle of the complete symphonies of Shostakovich marks a milestone in the career of Vladimir Ashkenazy. The Russian émigré pianist turned conductor began the cycle with the Royal Philharmonic in 1987 with the "Fifth" and followed that with the "First" and "Sixth" in 1988, the "Second" and "Ninth" in 1989, the "Tenth" and "Fifthteenth" in 1990, the "Eighth" in 1991, and the "Third" and "Twelfth" in 1992. He shifted to the St. Petersburg Philharmonic for the "Eleventh" in 1994 and the "Seventh" in 1995, and then to the NHK Symphony for the "Thirteenth" in 2000, and, finally, the "Fourth" and "Fourteenth" in 2006. Whatever the orchestra and whenever the date, Ashkenazy's fundamental approach to the composer remained unchanged: this is Shostakovich played big, bright, brawny, and above all heroic. There's passion in his "First" and pathos in his "Eighth," rhetoric in his "Second" and "Third" and realism in his "Eleventh" and "Twelfth," but above all there's courage in his "Fifth," bravery in his "Seventh," triumph in his "Tenth," strength in his "Thirteenth," and against-all-odds victory in his "Fifthteenth." The "Fourth" and "Fourteenth," the last recorded symphonies, are leaner in texture, darker in tone, and sterner in manner then the rest but no less persuasive. Each orchestra's playing is highly individualistic -- the English Royal Philharmonic is warmly colored, the Russian St. Petersburg Philharmonic is strongly rhythmic, and the Japanese NHK Symphony is brilliantly virtuosic -- but each plays with consummate musicality and obvious affection for Ashkenazy. Considering the variety of venues, Decca's lush digital sound is remarkably consistent. Compared with Barshai's ardent authenticity, Mravinsky's grim austerity, Kondrashin's urgent advocacy, and Rozhdestvensky's violent irony, Ashkenazy's direct approach may seem too straightforward for some listeners, but his honesty, sincerity, and efficacy cannot be denied.

By the way, the NHK "Fourth" is a new recording. Ashkenazy first recorded the work in 1989 with the Royal Philharmonic. And for the record, the earlier performance is bigger, brighter, brawnier, and more unambiguously heroic than the later performance. James Leonard, All Music Guide



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