Composer: Dmitri Shostakovich
Performer: Mariinsky Chorus
Orchestra: Mariinsky Orchestra
Conductor: Valéry Gergiev
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Mariinsky
Release: 2010
Size: 1.45 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Symphony No. 2 in B major, Op. 14 ‘To October’
01. I. Largo – Crochet – Poco meno mosso – Allegro molto
02. II. Crotchet – Meno mosso – Moderato
03. III. Chorus – “To October”
Symphony No. 11 in G minor, Op. 103 ‘The year 1905’
04. I. The Palace Square – Adagio
05. II. The 9th of January – Allegro
06. III. In memoriam – Adagio
07. IV. Tocsin – Allegro non troppo
The second release in Valery Gergiev’s Shostakovich Symphony cycle features Symphonies Nos 2 & 11. As with the first release in the series, which featured Symphonies Nos 1 & 15, nominated for two Grammy Awards, Gergiev conducts works from opposite ends of Shostakovich’s career. The Second and Eleventh symphonies are both inspired by Russian revolutions. The Eleventh Symphony, subtitled ‘The Year 1905’ marks the bloody revolution of that year. It is an astonishingly atmospheric symphony, of cinematic breadth, especially in second movement which depicts the Bloody Sunday massacre in St Petersburg. Symphony No 2 was written to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the October Revolution. At less than 20 minutes, it is a much shorter work than the Eleventh symphony yet no less dramatic. Although dismissed by the composer later in his career as an experiment, it remains an important step in the development of one of the greatest symphonists and both works receive definitive performances from the Mariinsky Orchestra and Chorus. Gergiev and the Mariinsky tour in the US during October where Gergiev also conducts at the Metropolitan Opera. In November they visit Paris and Berlin. Gergiev also conducts the LSO in London as well as on tour in Japan during November.
The Mariinsky label’s other recent releases include Wagner’s Parsifal, Disc of the Month in BBC Music Magazine.