Composer: Dmitri Shostakovich
Orchestra: Mariinsky Orchestra
Conductor: Valéry Gergiev
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Number of Discs: 2
Label: Mariinsky
Release: 2014
Size: 2.31 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
CD 01
Symphony No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 43
01. I. Allegretto, poco moderato – Presto
02. II. Moderato, con moto
03. III. Largo – Allegro
CD 02
Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, Op. 47
01. I. Moderato
02. II. Allegretto
03. III. Largo
04. IV. Allegro non troppo
Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 54
05. I. Largo
06. II. Allegro
07. III. Presto
Valery Gergiev continues his acclaimed Shostakovich symphony cycle with his sixth release, a 2-SACD set of consecutive symphonies 4, 5 & 6.
Shostakovich’s symphonies are often emotionally powerful and the three symphonies performed here are a particularly compelling and riveting combination. The tortuous difficulty of adhering to vaguely articulated political dictats shaped the evolution of Shostakovich’s music. Yet it is his sophisticated employment of musical codes that enabled him to maintain his creative integrity. There is no better illustration of his ability to tread a fine line between acclaim and condemnation than the experience he faced during the 1930s: the period when these symphonies were composed. Previous releases in Gergiev’s Shostakovich cycle include Symphonies Nos 1 & 15, Symphonies Nos 2 & 11, Symphonies Nos 3 & 10 and Symphony No 7.