Description
Shostakovich: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 / Symphony No. 9 (DECCA VIRTUOSO) CD
UPC: 0028947836124
MPN: 478 3612
Brand Name: Decca (VIRTUOSO Series)
Overview: Exuberant and Irreverent Masterpieces from the Soviet Era
This Decca VIRTUOSO release brings together three key works by Dmitri Shostakovich, showcasing both his accessible virtuosity and his sly political commentary. The album features his two dazzlingly energetic and humorous Piano Concertos—No. 1 (for piano, trumpet, and strings) and No. 2—coupled with the unexpectedly light and often irreverent Symphony No. 9. The performances are led by conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy, a celebrated interpreter of Russian music, with soloists Peter Jablonski (Piano Concerto No. 1) and Cristina Ortiz (Piano Concerto No. 2), and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. This collection is an ideal way for both new and experienced listeners to appreciate Shostakovich's genius for blending high drama, wit, and virtuosity.
Product Features
- Composer: Dmitri Shostakovich (1906–1975)
- Conductor: Vladimir Ashkenazy
- Orchestra: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
- Soloists: Peter Jablonski (Piano, Concerto No. 1), Cristina Ortiz (Piano, Concerto No. 2), Raymond Simmons (Trumpet, Concerto No. 1)
- Format: CD, Compilation, Reissue (VIRTUOSO Series)
- Genre: Classical
- Style: 20th Century Classical, Concerto, Symphony
- Compilation Release Year: 2012
- Total Playing Time: Approximately 67:39
- Series: VIRTUOSO (Seriously good recordings from Decca and Deutsche Grammophon)
- Label: Decca
- Country: Made in the EU
Interesting Facts about the Works
- Piano Concerto No. 1 (in C minor, Op. 35): Formally titled "Concerto for Piano, Trumpet, and Strings," this 1933 work is a witty, youthful showpiece that blends classical forms with jazz and circus music elements, demonstrating the composer's playful side.
- Piano Concerto No. 2 (in F major, Op. 102): Composed in 1957 for his son, Maxim Shostakovich, this concerto is known for its lighthearted, almost childlike first and third movements, contrasting sharply with its famous, deeply lyrical, and poignant slow movement.
- Symphony No. 9 (in E flat major, Op. 70): Written in 1945, this symphony was expected by the Soviet authorities to be a grand, celebratory monument to the victory over Nazi Germany (like Beethoven's Ninth). Shostakovich instead delivered a short, neoclassical, witty, and understated work, which was received with initial confusion and eventual political disapproval for its "ideological instability."
Track Listing
| Tracks | Composition | Soloists | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concerto for Piano, Trumpet and Strings in C minor, Op. 35 | 22:42 | ||
| 1-3 | (Three Movements) | Peter Jablonski (Piano), Raymond Simmons (Trumpet) | |
| Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op. 102 | 20:06 | ||
| 4-6 | (Three Movements) | Cristina Ortiz (Piano) | |
| Symphony No. 9 in E flat major, Op. 70 | 24:51 | ||
| 7-11 | (Five Movements) |
Publishers
- Record Label: Decca Music Group Limited (A Universal Music Company)
- Copyright: Decca (2012)
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