Shostakovich Edition: Symphonies - Concertos - Suites - String Quartets - Chamber Music [Box Set] [Includes Interview DVD]

Shostakovich Edition: Symphonies - Concertos - Suites - String Quartets - Chamber Music [Box Set] [Includes Interview DVD]

Shostakovich Edition: Symphonies - Concertos - Suites - String Quartets - Chamber Music [Box Set] [Includes Interview DVD]
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CD Details

Composer: Dmitry Shostakovich
Conductor: Rudolf Barshai
Conductor: Theodore Kuchar
Conductor: Paavo Berglund
Conductor: Yevgeny Mravinsky
Conductor: Gennady Rozhdestvensky
Conductor: Rozhdestvensky
Conductor: Valery Polyansky
Orchestra: WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln
Orchestra: WDR Sinfonie Orchester Köln
Orchestra: WDR Symphonieorchester
Orchestra: Giuseppe Verdi Orchestra
Orchestra: Giuseppe Verdi Symphony Orchestra of Milan
Orchestra: National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine
Orchestra: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra: Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra
Orchestra: Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra
Orchestra: Moscow Symphony Orchestra
Performer: Cristina Ortiz
Performer: Edward Auer
Edition: Music CD
Format: Box set
CD Release Date: 2007-04-10
Music Label: Brilliant Classics
Soundtracks:
Music CD 1
  1. Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op. 10: Allegretto
  2. Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op. 10: Allegro
  3. Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op. 10: Lento
  4. Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op. 10: Allegro molto
  5. Symphony No. 2 in B flat major (To October), Op. 14
  6. Symphony No. 3 in E flat major (The First of May), Op. 20
Music CD 2
  1. Symphony No. 4 in C minor, Op. 43: Allegretto poco moderato
  2. Symphony No. 4 in C minor, Op. 43: Moderato con moto
  3. Symphony No. 4 in C minor, Op. 43: Largo-allegro
Music CD 3
  1. Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47: Moderato
  2. Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47: Allegretto
  3. Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47: Largo
  4. Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47: Allegro non troppo
  5. Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 54: Largo
  6. Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 54: Allegro
  7. Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 54: Presto
Music CD 4
  1. Symphony No. 7 in C major (Leningrad), Op. 60: War, allegretto
  2. Symphony No. 7 in C major (Leningrad), Op. 60: Memories, Moderato (poco allegretto)
  3. Symphony No. 7 in C major (Leningrad), Op. 60: My native Field, adagio
  4. Symphony No. 7 in C major (Leningrad), Op. 60: Victory, allegro non troppo
Music CD 5
  1. Symphony No. 8 in C minor, Op. 65 (Stalingrad): Adagio
  2. Symphony No. 8 in C minor, Op. 65 (Stalingrad): Allegretto
  3. Symphony No. 8 in C minor, Op. 65 (Stalingrad): Allegro non troppo
  4. Symphony No. 8 in C minor, Op. 65 (Stalingrad): Largo
  5. Symphony No. 8 in C minor, Op. 65 (Stalingrad): Allegretto
Music CD 6
  1. Symphony No. 9 in E flat major, Op. 70: Allegro
  2. Symphony No. 9 in E flat major, Op. 70: Moderato
  3. Symphony No. 9 in E flat major, Op. 70: Presto
  4. Symphony No. 9 in E flat major, Op. 70: Largo
  5. Symphony No. 9 in E flat major, Op. 70: Allegretto
  6. Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93: Moderato
  7. Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93: Allegro
  8. Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93: Allegretto
  9. Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93: Andante
Music CD 7
  1. Symphony No. 11 in G minor, Op. 103 (The Year 1905): Palace Square: adagio
  2. Symphony No. 11 in G minor, Op. 103 (The Year 1905): January 9th: Allegro - adagio - allegro - adagio
  3. Symphony No. 11 in G minor, Op. 103 (The Year 1905): Eternal Memory: adagio
  4. Symphony No. 11 in G minor, Op. 103 (The Year 1905): The Toscin: Allegro non troppo - allegro - moderato - adagio - allegro
Music CD 8
  1. Symphony No. 12 in D minor, Op. 112 (The Year 1917 - in Memory of Lenin): Revolutionary Petrograd: Moderato-allegro
  2. Symphony No. 12 in D minor, Op. 112 (The Year 1917 - in Memory of Lenin): Razliv: Adagio
  3. Symphony No. 12 in D minor, Op. 112 (The Year 1917 - in Memory of Lenin): Aurora: Allegro
  4. Symphony No. 12 in D minor, Op. 112 (The Year 1917 - in Memory of Lenin): The Dawn of Humanity: L'istesso tempo
Music CD 9
  1. Symphony No. 13 in B flat minor, Op. 113 (Babi Yar): Babi Yar: Adagio
  2. Symphony No. 13 in B flat minor, Op. 113 (Babi Yar): Humour: Allegretto
  3. Symphony No. 13 in B flat minor, Op. 113 (Babi Yar): In the Store: Adagio
  4. Symphony No. 13 in B flat minor, Op. 113 (Babi Yar): Fears: Adagio
  5. Symphony No. 13 in B flat minor, Op. 113 (Babi Yar): A Career: Allegretto
Music CD 10
  1. Symphony No. 14 for soprano, bass, strings & percussion, Op. 135: De profundis
  2. Symphony No. 14 for soprano, bass, strings & percussion, Op. 135: Malagueña
  3. Symphony No. 14 for soprano, bass, strings & percussion, Op. 135: Lorelei
  4. Symphony No. 14 for soprano, bass, strings & percussion, Op. 135: The Suicide
  5. Symphony No. 14 for soprano, bass, strings & percussion, Op. 135: On Watch
  6. Symphony No. 14 for soprano, bass, strings & percussion, Op. 135: Madam, look!
  7. Symphony No. 14 for soprano, bass, strings & percussion, Op. 135: In Prison, at the Sante Jail
  8. Symphony No. 14 for soprano, bass, strings & percussion, Op. 135: The Zaporozhian Cossack's answer to the Sultan of Constantinople
  9. Symphony No. 14 for soprano, bass, strings & percussion, Op. 135: O Delvig, Delvig
  10. Symphony No. 14 for soprano, bass, strings & percussion, Op. 135: The Death of the Poet
  11. Symphony No. 14 for soprano, bass, strings & percussion, Op. 135: Conclusion
Music CD 11
  1. Symphony No. 15 in A major, Op. 141: Allegretto
  2. Symphony No. 15 in A major, Op. 141: Adagio - largo - adagio - allegretto
  3. Symphony No. 15 in A major, Op. 141: Allegretto
  4. Symphony No. 15 in A major, Op. 141: Adagio - allegretto - adagio - allegretto
Music CD 12
  1. Chamber Symphony in F major, Op. 73a (arr. by Barshai from String Quartet No. 3): Allegretto
  2. Chamber Symphony in F major, Op. 73a (arr. by Barshai from String Quartet No. 3): Moderato con moto
  3. Chamber Symphony in F major, Op. 73a (arr. by Barshai from String Quartet No. 3): Allegro non troppo
  4. Chamber Symphony in F major, Op. 73a (arr. by Barshai from String Quartet No. 3): Adagio
  5. Chamber Symphony in F major, Op. 73a (arr. by Barshai from String Quartet No. 3): Moderato
  6. Chamber Symphony in D major, Op. 83a (arr. by Barshai from String Quartet No. 4): Allegro
  7. Chamber Symphony in D major, Op. 83a (arr. by Barshai from String Quartet No. 4): Andantino
  8. Chamber Symphony in D major, Op. 83a (arr. by Barshai from String Quartet No. 4): Allegretto
  9. Chamber Symphony in D major, Op. 83a (arr. by Barshai from String Quartet No. 4): Allegretto
Music CD 13
  1. Chamber Symphony in C major, Op. 49a ('Eine kleine Symphonie,' arr. by Barshai from String Quartet No. 1): Moderato
  2. Chamber Symphony in C major, Op. 49a ('Eine kleine Symphonie,' arr. by Barshai from String Quartet No. 1): Moderato
  3. Chamber Symphony in C major, Op. 49a ('Eine kleine Symphonie,' arr. by Barshai from String Quartet No. 1): Allegro molto
  4. Chamber Symphony in C major, Op. 49a ('Eine kleine Symphonie,' arr. by Barshai from String Quartet No. 1): Allegro
  5. Chamber Symphony in C minor, Op. 110a (arr. by Barshai from String Quartet No. 8 ): Largo
  6. Chamber Symphony in C minor, Op. 110a (arr. by Barshai from String Quartet No. 8 ): Allegro molto
  7. Chamber Symphony in C minor, Op. 110a (arr. by Barshai from String Quartet No. 8 ): Allegretto
  8. Chamber Symphony in C minor, Op. 110a (arr. by Barshai from String Quartet No. 8 ): Largo
  9. Chamber Symphony in C minor, Op. 110a (arr. by Barshai from String Quartet No. 8 ): Largo
  10. Chamber Symphony in A flat major, Op. 118a (arr. by Robert Barshai from String Quartet No 10): Andante
  11. Chamber Symphony in A flat major, Op. 118a (arr. by Robert Barshai from String Quartet No 10): Allegretto furioso
  12. Chamber Symphony in A flat major, Op. 118a (arr. by Robert Barshai from String Quartet No 10): Adagio
  13. Chamber Symphony in A flat major, Op. 118a (arr. by Robert Barshai from String Quartet No 10): Allegretto
Music CD 14
  1. Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 2: March
  2. Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 2: Dance No. 1
  3. Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 2: Dance No. 2
  4. Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 2: Little Polka
  5. Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 2: Lyric Waltz
  6. Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 2: Waltz No. 1
  7. Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 2: Waltz No. 2
  8. Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 2: Finale
  9. Overture on Russian and Khirghiz Folksongs, for orchestra, Op. 115
  10. Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 1: Waltz
  11. Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 1: Polka
  12. Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 1: Foxtrot
  13. Novorossisk Chimes (The Fire of Eternal Glory), for orchestra
  14. Festive Overture, for orchestra in A major, Op. 96
Music CD 15
  1. The Bolt, suite from the ballet, Op. 27a: Overture
  2. The Bolt, suite from the ballet, Op. 27a: Polka
  3. The Bolt, suite from the ballet, Op. 27a: Variation
  4. The Bolt, suite from the ballet, Op. 27a: Tango
  5. The Bolt, suite from the ballet, Op. 27a: Intermezzo
  6. The Bolt, suite from the ballet, Op. 27a: Finale
  7. The Limpid Stream, suite from the ballet, Op. 39a: Waltz
  8. The Limpid Stream, suite from the ballet, Op. 39a: Russian Lubok
  9. The Limpid Stream, suite from the ballet, Op. 39a: Galop
  10. The Limpid Stream, suite from the ballet, Op. 39a: Adagio
  11. The Limpid Stream, suite from the ballet, Op. 39a: Pizzicato
  12. The Age of Gold, suite from the ballet, Op. 22a: Overture
  13. The Age of Gold, suite from the ballet, Op. 22a: Adagio
  14. The Age of Gold, suite from the ballet, Op. 22a: Polka
  15. The Age of Gold, suite from the ballet, Op. 22a: Dance
Music CD 16
  1. Hamlet, suite from the film score, Op.116a (assembled by Atovmyan): Prelude
  2. Hamlet, suite from the film score, Op.116a (assembled by Atovmyan): The Ball at the Palace
  3. Hamlet, suite from the film score, Op.116a (assembled by Atovmyan): The Ghost
  4. Hamlet, suite from the film score, Op.116a (assembled by Atovmyan): In the Garden
  5. Hamlet, suite from the film score, Op.116a (assembled by Atovmyan): Hamlet & Ophelia
  6. Hamlet, suite from the film score, Op.116a (assembled by Atovmyan): Arrival of the Actors
  7. Hamlet, suite from the film score, Op.116a (assembled by Atovmyan): Poisoning Scene
  8. Hamlet, suite from the film score, Op.116a (assembled by Atovmyan): Duel and Death of Hamlet
  9. The Gadfly, suite from the film score, Op. 97a (assembled by Atovmyan): Overture
  10. The Gadfly, suite from the film score, Op. 97a (assembled by Atovmyan): Contradance
  11. The Gadfly, suite from the film score, Op. 97a (assembled by Atovmyan): Folk Feast
  12. The Gadfly, suite from the film score, Op. 97a (assembled by Atovmyan): Interlude
  13. The Gadfly, suite from the film score, Op. 97a (assembled by Atovmyan): Waltz 'Barrel Organ'
  14. The Gadfly, suite from the film score, Op. 97a (assembled by Atovmyan): Galop
  15. The Gadfly, suite from the film score, Op. 97a (assembled by Atovmyan): Introduction
  16. The Gadfly, suite from the film score, Op. 97a (assembled by Atovmyan): Romance
  17. The Gadfly, suite from the film score, Op. 97a (assembled by Atovmyan): Intermezzo
  18. The Gadfly, suite from the film score, Op. 97a (assembled by Atovmyan): Nocturne
  19. The Gadfly, suite from the film score, Op. 97a (assembled by Atovmyan): Scene
  20. The Gadfly, suite from the film score, Op. 97a (assembled by Atovmyan): Finale
Music CD 17
  1. Piano Concerto No. 1, for piano, trumpet & strings, in C minor, Op. 35: Allegro moderato - allegro vivace - moderato
  2. Piano Concerto No. 1, for piano, trumpet & strings, in C minor, Op. 35: Lento
  3. Piano Concerto No. 1, for piano, trumpet & strings, in C minor, Op. 35: Moderato
  4. Piano Concerto No. 1, for piano, trumpet & strings, in C minor, Op. 35: Allegro con brio
  5. Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op. 102: Allegro
  6. Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op. 102: Andante
  7. Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op. 102: Allegro
  8. Fantastic Dances (3), for piano, Op. 5: Allegretto
  9. Fantastic Dances (3), for piano, Op. 5: Andantino
  10. Fantastic Dances (3), for piano, Op. 5: Allegretto
Music CD 18
  1. Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 77 (published as Op. 99): Nocturne
  2. Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 77 (published as Op. 99): Scherzo
  3. Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 77 (published as Op. 99): Passacaglia, andante, cadenza - Burlesque, allegro con brio
  4. Violin Concerto No. 2 in C sharp minor, Op. 129: Moderato
  5. Violin Concerto No. 2 in C sharp minor, Op. 129: Adagio, adagio - allegro
Music CD 19
  1. Cello Concerto No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 107: Allegretto
  2. Cello Concerto No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 107: Moderato
  3. Cello Concerto No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 107: Cadenza
  4. Cello Concerto No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 107: Allegro con moto
  5. Cello Concerto No. 2 in G major, Op. 126: Largo
  6. Cello Concerto No. 2 in G major, Op. 126: Allegretto
  7. Cello Concerto No. 2 in G major, Op. 126: Allegretto
Music CD 20
  1. Quintet for piano & strings in G minor, Op. 57: Prelude: Lento - Poco piu mosso
  2. Quintet for piano & strings in G minor, Op. 57: Fugue: Adagio
  3. Quintet for piano & strings in G minor, Op. 57: Scherzo: Allegretto
  4. Quintet for piano & strings in G minor, Op. 57: Intermezzo: Lento
  5. Quintet for piano & strings in G minor, Op. 57: Finale: Allegretto
  6. Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67: Andante - Moderato
  7. Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67: Allegro non troppo
  8. Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67: Largo
  9. Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67: Allegretto
Music CD 21
  1. Sonata for violin & piano, Op. 134: Andante
  2. Sonata for violin & piano, Op. 134: Allegretto
  3. Sonata for violin & piano, Op. 134: Largo
  4. Sonata for viola & piano in C major, Op. 147: Moderato
  5. Sonata for viola & piano in C major, Op. 147: Allegretto
  6. Sonata for viola & piano in C major, Op. 147: Adagio
Music CD 22
  1. Sonata for cello & piano in D minor, Op. 40: Allegro non troppo
  2. Sonata for cello & piano in D minor, Op. 40: Allegro
  3. Sonata for cello & piano in D minor, Op. 40: Largo
  4. Sonata for cello & piano in D minor, Op. 40: Allegro
  5. Sonata for piano No. 1 (October Symphony), Op. 12
  6. Sonata for piano No. 2 in B minor, Op. 61: Allegretto
  7. Sonata for piano No. 2 in B minor, Op. 61: Largo
  8. Sonata for piano No. 2 in B minor, Op. 61: Moderato
Music CD 23
  1. String Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 68: Overture (moderato con moto)
  2. String Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 68: Recitative & Romance (adagio)
  3. String Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 68: Waltz (allegro)
  4. String Quartet No. 2 in A major, Op. 68: Theme & variations (adagio)
  5. String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110: Largo
  6. String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110: Allegro molto
  7. String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110: Allegretto
  8. String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110: Largo
  9. String Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110: Largo
  10. String Quartet No. 13 in B flat minor, Op. 138
Music CD 24
  1. String Quartet No. 3 in F major, Op. 73: Allegretto
  2. String Quartet No. 3 in F major, Op. 73: Moderato con moto
  3. String Quartet No. 3 in F major, Op. 73: Allegro non troppo
  4. String Quartet No. 3 in F major, Op. 73: Adagio
  5. String Quartet No. 3 in F major, Op. 73: Moderato
  6. String Quartet No. 7 in F sharp minor, Op. 108: Allegretto
  7. String Quartet No. 7 in F sharp minor, Op. 108: Lento
  8. String Quartet No. 7 in F sharp minor, Op. 108: Allegro
  9. String Quartet No. 9 in E flat major, Op. 117: Moderato con moto
  10. String Quartet No. 9 in E flat major, Op. 117: Adagio
  11. String Quartet No. 9 in E flat major, Op. 117: Allegretto
  12. String Quartet No. 9 in E flat major, Op. 117: Adagio
  13. String Quartet No. 9 in E flat major, Op. 117: Allegro
Music CD 25
  1. String Quartet No. 5 in B flat major, Op. 92: Allegro non troppo
  2. String Quartet No. 5 in B flat major, Op. 92: Andante
  3. String Quartet No. 5 in B flat major, Op. 92: Moderato
  4. String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op. 122: Introduction (andantino)
  5. String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op. 122: Scherzo (allegretto)
  6. String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op. 122: Recitativo (adagio)
  7. String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op. 122: Etude (allegro)
  8. String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op. 122: Humoresque (allegro)
  9. String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op. 122: Elegy (adagio)
  10. String Quartet No. 11 in F minor, Op. 122: Conclusion (moderato)
  11. String Quartet No. 12 in D flat major, Op. 133: Moderato
  12. String Quartet No. 12 in D flat major, Op. 133: Allegretto
Music CD 26
  1. String Quartet No. 4 in D major, Op. 83: Allegretto
  2. String Quartet No. 4 in D major, Op. 83: Andantino
  3. String Quartet No. 4 in D major, Op. 83: Allegretto
  4. String Quartet No. 4 in D major, Op. 83: Allegretto
  5. String Quartet No. 6 in G major, Op. 101: Allegretto
  6. String Quartet No. 6 in G major, Op. 101: Moderato con moto
  7. String Quartet No. 6 in G major, Op. 101: Lento
  8. String Quartet No. 6 in G major, Op. 101: Lento - allegretto
  9. String Quartet No. 10 in A flat, Op. 118: Andante
  10. String Quartet No. 10 in A flat, Op. 118: Allegretto furioso
  11. String Quartet No. 10 in A flat, Op. 118: Adagio
  12. String Quartet No. 10 in A flat, Op. 118: Allegretto
Music CD 27
  1. String Quartet No. 1 in C major, Op. 49: Moderato
  2. String Quartet No. 1 in C major, Op. 49: Moderato
  3. String Quartet No. 1 in C major, Op. 49: Allegro molto
  4. String Quartet No. 1 in C major, Op. 49: Allegro
  5. String Quartet No. 14 in F sharp major, Op. 142: Allegretto
  6. String Quartet No. 14 in F sharp major, Op. 142: Adagio
  7. String Quartet No. 14 in F sharp major, Op. 142: Allegretto
  8. String Quartet No. 15 in E flat minor, Op. 144: Elegy (adagio)
  9. String Quartet No. 15 in E flat minor, Op. 144: Serenade (adagio)
  10. String Quartet No. 15 in E flat minor, Op. 144: Intermezzo (adagio)
  11. String Quartet No. 15 in E flat minor, Op. 144: Nocturne (adagio)
  12. String Quartet No. 15 in E flat minor, Op. 144: Funeral March (adagio molto)
  13. String Quartet No. 15 in E flat minor, Op. 144: Epilogue (adagio)

Music reviews of Shostakovich Edition: Symphonies - Concertos - Suites - String Quartets - Chamber Music [Box Set] [Includes Interview DVD]

Music Review: A compelling survey of most of Shostakovich's major works
Rating: 5 Stars

The description provided by Amazon as I write this in December 2009 implies that this remarkable 27 CD box set is just a collection of Shostakovich symphonies. This is incorrect: you get not just the 15 symphonies, but also most of his other major works except for the operas and the preludes and fugues for piano. A few minor works are thrown in, representing the part of Shostakovich's output that was necessarily didactic: this includes some film and ballet music, and a few miscellaneous orchestral works. We are spared the patriotic cantatas, scores for second rate Soviet films, and most of the other hack work he was obliged to produce, unworthy of his talents. Shostakovich was a prolific composer by 20th Century standards, and his output was uneven.

The Barshai/WDS Sinfonieorchester cycle of the 15 symphonies has been reviewed elsewhere. You probably won't be disappointed with them. The sound is clear, and many details come through (unfortunately including quite a bit of chair creaking and page turning). You have the benediction of an interpretive approach informed by direct collaboration with Shostakovich, executed by one of Germany's best orchestras for modern music. Barshai takes the ending of the 5th Symphony at the slow tempo increasingly favored by conductors nowadays. The scherzo of the 6th Symphony is initially taken at a tempo that the orchestra really can't play, as evinced by the first ascending run in the full woodwinds, whose tongues aren't quite up to the task. They solve it by slightly slowing the tempo leading out of that so that the rest of the movement goes a little less quickly. The "wedge" motif at the start of the 13th Symphony sounds sinister in the hands of these muted trumpets, and really does suggest a knife poking at an unfortunate victim of one of the pogroms described in Yevtushenko's text. The static endings of the 4th and 8th Symphonies, in minor and major respectively, are harrowing and angelic respectively. And these are just a few highlights.

The bonus DVD interview with Barshai is a disappointment. Perhaps I'm missing details accessible to a German speaker, but judging from the translation, the discussion mainly concerns various anecdotes of the premier of the 5th Symphony. Barshai claims that one passage in the Symphony was "corrected" by a Soviet censor to remove a simultaneous cross-relationship (B-natural and B-flat). Too bad there's no cutaway either to the orchestra playing this passage, or to the score pages in question. Thus we're left wondering exactly where this passage is. Likewise, there is footage of Barshai rehearsing one of the violin concertos, but the video director seems never to have seen a conductor before. So enchanted is he by the sight of the maestro waving his arms in front of an orchestra (often in slow motion) that he cuts away as soon as Barshai raises his hand to stop the orchestra -- right when things might actually get interesting! We never hear a word from Barshai in rehearsal: no instructions to the musicians, no interpretive insights revealed, no publishing errors corrected based on first-hand knowledge. Those who've never worked with Barshai are left wondering whether he's a world class conductor with an all-encompassing emotional attachment to the music (à la Bernstein) or an incisive grasp of the music that can see through a composition like a crystal (à la Boulez), or if he's instead a journeyman conductor fortunate enough to get to work "on reputation" with the capable instrumentalists of the WDS Sinfonieorchester.

If your familiarity with Shostakovich is based only on his most popular, backward-looking works (like most of the symphonies), then spend some time with the late string quartets, which are more clearly influenced by modernism. Though conservative by 20th Century standards, they are adventurous by the standards of the pre-glasnost Soviet Union, and are among the composer's most deeply personal and introspective works. Toward the end of his life, Shostakovich started to expand his harmonic language in a way very similar to Britten's development during his last decade, and this is reflected more directly in the works for smaller ensemble, including chamber music like this, and the 14th Symphony, which is scored only for two voices, two percussionists and some strings. The Flemish musicians of the Rubio Quartet do not disappoint, with an interesting approach of recording "live" performances before a small invited studio audience. Working through these 15 string quartets was the highlight of my time spent canvassing this set.

Shostakovich Edition is attractively packaged in a predictably bright red motif. Each CD gets a cardboard sleeve, and there's a nice booklet with the program notes (no CD-ROM to print out). The notes could have been better edited: they look to have been cut and pasted from the individual albums whence they came, as many biographical details repeat over and over as you move from genre to genre. But they're more insightful and readable than the notes that accompany most Brilliant Classics releases. Another plus: the recorded sound is impeccable throughout, and the transfers are devoid of the engineering glitches that crept into Brilliant's Brahms and Rachmaninoff sets. If you enjoy Shostakovich's music, or want to get to know it better, then this set will be a great addition to your collection. The only hitch, really, is that this set is priced much higher than most Brilliant Classics collections, so it's probably going to be a more compelling purchase if you can find it discounted, either used from Amazon.com, or else new from Amazon France, Germany or UK, who currently list it for about half the price of Amazon's US Web site.
More Shostakovich Edition: Symphonies - Concertos - Suites - String Quartets - Chamber Music [Box Set] [Includes Interview DVD] free music reviews:
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Beethoven Lives Upstairs Cdr ImageClassical Kids - Beethoven Lives Upstairs Cdr
Release date: 2000-04-05; Music CD
Best price: $24.98
Tchaikovsky (Life and Works (Naxos)) ImageTchaikovsky (Life and Works (Naxos))
by Malcolm Sinclair, Jeremy Siepmann
Naxos; Published: 2003-11; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $35.99
Jose Carreras - Jubileum Concert [VHS] ImageJose Carreras - Jose Carreras - Jubileum Concert [VHS]
Sling Shot; Release date: 2000-04-18; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $5.86
Price in other shops: $9.99
Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Nureyev, Park, Royal Ballet [VHS] ImageTchaikovsky - The Nutcracker / Nureyev, Park, Royal Ballet [VHS]
Kultur Video; Release date: 1997-09-09; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.89
Price in other shops: $29.95
Lonely Town Lonley Street / Sergeant's Early Dream [VHS] ImageRambert Dance Company - Lonely Town Lonley Street / Sergeant's Early Dream [VHS]
Kultur Video; Release date: 1997-10-28; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops: $29.95
Winter Music: Composing the North ImageWinter Music: Composing the North
by John Luther Adams
Wesleyan; Published: 2004-11-10; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $25.21
Price in other shops: $25.95
Puccini - La Fanciulla del West / Santi, Domingo, Neblett, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] ImagePuccini - La Fanciulla del West / Santi, Domingo, Neblett, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS]
Kultur Video; Release date: 1999-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $6.38
Price in other shops: $29.95
Verdi - Falstaff / Giulini, Bruson, Ricciarelli, Nucci, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS] ImageVerdi - Falstaff / Giulini, Bruson, Ricciarelli, Nucci, Royal Opera Covent Garden [VHS]
Kultur Video; Release date: 1999-05-25; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $12.95
Price in other shops: $29.95
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