Availability
£10.95 www.dunelm-records.co.uk
It is good to have
both of Shostakovich’s Cello Concertos
on one CD. Each is a masterpiece. Every
bar is unmistakable Shostakovich and
yet the works are worlds apart, from
which I believe he is one of the greatest
20th century composers. Though
the performers are the same in each
work, the recordings were made at two
concerts during 2004.
Though six months apart,
these two performances are equally outstanding,
with soloist, conductor and orchestra
truly getting to the heart of Shostakovich,
with the performers really well integrated,
working as a single unit.
In the 1st
Concerto, the opening movement has a
thrilling sense of urgency with its
relentless intensity. This is followed
by a marvellous contrast in the second
movement where the sound of the string
section is moving in its sonority behind
the expressive solo cellist, whose passage
in harmonics with the celesta, near
to the end, is most effective. Unusually,
the third movement is entirely given
to a cadenza for the soloist, who here
brings out a superb build-up of tension
before the finale explodes into its
exciting journey. As well as a great
solo interpretation, there is much to
admire in all sections of the orchestra
throughout this concerto. Special mention
must go to the fine horn solos of Jon
Meecham.
The less well known
2nd Concerto, with its more
sparse and often desolate style typical
of later Shostakovich, is also given
an outstanding performance. The soloist
is on top of the sustained virtuosity
demanded by the cello part, integrating
so well with the orchestra who play
magnificently. There is more sonorous
string tone in the brooding first movement,
excellent rhythmic precision in the
central fast movement and a well balanced
interpretation of the long finale including
a terrifying climax and a magical quiet
ending with delicate percussion behind
the cello soloist.
The CD booklet is well
presented, with informative notes on
the music though reference should have
been made to the fact that, in the 2nd
Concerto, the finale follows the second
movement without a break. There are
biographical notes and photographs.
A valuable note speaks frankly of the
problems in making these recordings
though I feel that these are most successfully
balanced. Only in the 1st
Concerto’s first movement do I feel
that the solo cello is a little too
forward. The members of the orchestra
on each occasion are listed, too.
A most moving and memorable
CD. Highly recommended.
Ian Milnes
DUNELM RECORDS:
LIST OF SHOSTAKOVICH RECORDINGS: 2005
All made at St. Cyprian’s Church, Glentworth
Street, London
KHACHATURIAN: Suite No.2 from the ballet
‘Spartacus’ [21:48]
BARBER: Concerto for violin and orchestra
[24:08]
SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No.6 in B minor,
Op.65 [30:56]
Adrian Varela (violin)
London Shostakovich Orchestra/Christopher
Cox
Recorded "live" 19 May 2001
DUNELM DRD0173 [77:19]
Reviews: C
H Loh, DSCH Journal http://www.opus147.free.fr/reviews16.htm
SHOSTAKOVICH
Symphony No.7 in C major [‘Dedicated
to the city of Leningrad’] [73:03]
London Shostakovich Orchestra/Christopher
Cox
Recorded "live" 18 May 2002
DUNELM DRD0184 [73:03]
Reviews:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2003/Feb03/1aFeb03-5.htm
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2003/Feb03/shost7dunelm.htm
SHOSTAKOVICH
Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op.
102: (‘To Maxim Dmitrievich Shostakovich’)
[20:32]
Symphony No. 11 in G minor, Op.103,
‘The Year 1905’ [67:27]
Marina Primachenko (piano)
London Shostakovich Orchestra/Christopher
Cox
Recorded "live" 9 November
2002.
DUNELM DRD0193 [2 CDs: 87:59]
Reviews:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2003/Jun03/shost11dunelm.htmhttp://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2003/Jun03/1aJun03-5.htm
SHOSTAKOVICH:
Symphony No. 11 in G minor, Op.103,
‘The Year 1905’ [67:27]
London Shostakovich Orchestra: Conductor:
Christopher Cox; Leader: Jonathan Lee
Recorded "live" 9 November
2002.
DUNELM DRD0193B [67:27]
SHOSTAKOVICH
Symphony No.4 in C minor, Op.43 [63:39]
London Shostakovich Orchestra: Conductor:
Christopher Cox; Leader: Louise Lee
Recorded "live" 8 November
2003
DUNELM DRD0216B [63:39]
Review:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2004/Jun04/Shostakovich4_Dunelm.htm
SHOSTAKOVICH
Concerto for cello and orchestra No.1
in E flat, Op.107 [28:46]
Symphony No.5 in D minor, Op.47 [55:33]
Jonathan Ayling (cello)
London Shostakovich Orchestra/Christopher
Cox
Recorded "live" 15 May 2004
DUNELM DRD0227 [2 CDs: 84:19]
Review:
BBC Music Magazine, November,
2004, 13, Number 3, p.63
SHOSTAKOVICH
Symphony No.5 in D minor, Op.47 [55:33]
London Shostakovich Orchestra/Christopher
Cox
Recorded "live" 15 May 2004
DUNELM DRD0227B [55:33]
PRICES:
Single CDs: £10.95 (inclusive of postage
and packing in the UK)
Dual sets of 2 CDs: £16.95 (inclusive
of postage and packing in the UK)
The 2nd Cello
concert is available coupled to the
12th Symphony - review
Jonathan Ayling (cello) 
