Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan - Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10, Op. 93 (1982) Reissue 2006

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Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan - Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10, Op. 93 (1982) Reissue 2006

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The idea of recording one of the greatest conductors of the twentieth century, in Karajan, with perhaps the most fascinating of Soviet composers, in Shostakovich, is one of the most exciting prospects in the performance of twentieth century classical music. The idea first became a reality in 1967, when Karajan first recorded the work. This release comes from 1981, and is early in the digital era, so DG's Original Bit Reprocessing is extremely effective in restoring the quality and presence of the performance.

The electrifying Tenth Symphony (1953) is perhaps the composer's greatest work, full of mysterious, shocking and memorable musical ideas. Perhaps the most compelling part of the work is the Stalin-inspired Scherzo, which, in this recording, emerges as one of the most intense movements of the century. The persistent DSCH signature shows this work to almost be auto-biographical, the stoic Shostakovich in perpetual struggle with the enmity of the Stalin phenomenon.

Karajan's reading is magnetic throughout. His own sympathies with the music are clarified by the masterful recording. The Scherzo, I think, can be regarded as the vanguard of the entire work, and the captivation of the 'menace' of Stalin is an absolute requisite if the work's argument is to sound convincing. Unlike a slightly withdrawn and lacklustre performance from the NHK/Ashkenazy collaboration in 2006, Karajan's brass and string sections are so perfectly tuned that the music's inner meaning thunders through to the listener.

An incredible achievement. It remains a pity that Karajan did not explore more of Shostakovich's truly magnificent symphonic canon.

Review by Ryan Kernaghan

Shostakovich's Tenth is a dark work, full of mystery and fate that persists throughout the piece. Naturally it demands an interpreter who isn't afraid to be bold and delve into a world of tragedy. Everything about Herbert von Karajan makes him appear the ideal candidate for the work. Karajan knew how to achieve unprecedented intensity; long-term vision was always one of his greatest strengths. With a picture of Karajan self-assuredly gazing at Shostakovich in the liner notes, we feel sure the composer is enthusiastic about the whole affair.

So before we've even listened to the disc, there's good reason to expect the remarkable. Karajan certainly isn't going to sit back and let things roll of the page. He wants us to feel the desperation that Shostakovich incorporated throughout the score. It would be easy to try to reduce the pessimism by smoothing out the work's climaxes but Karajan isn't going to have any of that. He wants us to catch the full impact of Shostakovich's inner turmoil. With the mighty Berliners to help him out, he aims for grandeur that will send chills down your spine. Perhaps some will think he overdoes it, but if you're afraid Karajan will be overbearing, perhaps you shouldn't be listening to this symphony to begin with. Karajan thinks Shostakovich's bitter irony (especially the 2nd movement's frightening portrait of Stalin) shouldn't be inhibited from flooding the scene. The result sounds relentless, incredible for its sheer bigness of tone. Yet Karajan doesn't sound merely nasty. His visionary gifts enable him to see the whole work in perspective; he builds, always retaining intensity, but he doesn't let go too soon.

Not every single moment sounds threatening, either. The clouds never roll away but we're not constantly faced with the violence of the storm. Shostakovich has time for moments of lyricism. He never sound contented, but there's a kind of yearning optimism that Karajan picks up on. The key to Karajan's approach is that he is able to deliver the character that each individual moment holds while keeping a strong grip on the work's tension.

This symphony isn't for the faint-hearted. But if you're willing to enter Shostakovich's dark world, Karajan has a lot to offer. Once again, Karajan seems to know full well what it means to achieve greatness.

Review by Andrew R. Barnard

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Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan - Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10, Op. 93 (1982) Reissue 2006

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Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan - Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10, Op. 93 (1982) Reissue 2006

Close

×

Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan - Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10, Op. 93 (1982) Reissue 2006

Close