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Shostakovich’s magic

Shostakovich’s magic

Three of my favorite compositions by Dmitri Shostakovich are available on this recording: the Piano Concerto #2, the violin and piano sonata Op. 134, and the concerto for piano, trumpet, and orchestra.

  • The performers: Alexander Melnikov, Isabelle Faust, Jeroen Berwaerts
  • The orchestra: Mahler Chamber Orchestra
  • The conductor: Teodor Currentzis
  • This audio CD was issued February 14, 2012

The tracks on this CD are:

1. Piano Concerto No. 2 Op. 102 in F Major: I. Allegro
Alexander Melnikov, Mahler Chamber Orchestra and Teodor Currentzis

2. Piano Concerto No. 2 Op. 102 in F Major: II. Andante
Alexander Melnikov, Mahler Chamber Orchestra and Teodor Currentzis

3. Piano Concerto No. 2 Op. 102 in F Major: III. Allegro
Alexander Melnikov, Mahler Chamber Orchestra and Teodor Currentzis

4. Sonata for violon and piano Op. 134 in F Major: I. Andante
Alexander Melnikov and Isabelle Faust

5. Sonata for violon and piano Op. 134 in F Major: II. Allegretto
Alexander Melnikov and Isabelle Faust

6. Sonata for violon and piano Op. 134 in F Major: III. Largo
Alexander Melnikov and Isabelle Faust

7. Concerto for Piano, Trumpet and String orchestra Op. 35 in C Minor: I. Allegro moderato
Alexander Melnikov, Jeroen Berwaerts, Teodor Currentzis and Mahler Chamber Orchestra

8. Concerto for Piano, Trumpet and String orchestra Op. 35 in C Minor: II. Lento
Alexander Melnikov, Jeroen Berwaerts, Teodor Currentzis and Mahler Chamber Orchestra

9. Concerto for Piano, Trumpet and String orchestra Op. 35 in C Minor: III. Moderato
Alexander Melnikov, Teodor Currentzis, Jeroen Berwaerts and Mahler Chamber Orchestra

10. Concerto for Piano, Trumpet and String orchestra Op. 35 in C Minor: IV. Allegro con brio
Alexander Melnikov, Jeroen Berwaerts, Teodor Currentzis and Mahler Chamber Orchestra

As is the case with most of the music of Dmitri Shostakovich, these selections have moments of great intimacy, times of great sadness, dark moments, yet also periods of great joy. Shostakovich frequently included brief sounds of Jewish music of joyful weddings and the like, to provide relief from the dark side of what he tells us. These opposing moods are very typical of the composer’s approach to his works.

The performers are also terrific: Pianist Melnikov is a well-known interpreter, capable of showing us amazing feats. While Isabelle Faust is not as well known, she has recorded some terrific music and her work on this album is no exception. We will hear a lot more from her.

Here is Alexander Melnikov introducing his recent recording of Dmitri Shostakovitch’s Preludes & Fugues

 

 

And here are Isabelle Faust & Alexander Melnikov playing Beethoven. Listen carefully to Faust’s wonderful, sensitive phrasing…

 

 

Tags: Dmitri Shostakovich, Alexander Melnikov, Piano concerto, trumpet, violin and piano sonata

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