Wigglesworth, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic - Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 15 (2014)

Posted By: peotuvave

Date: Jan. 18, 2015

This cycle of Shostakovich’s Symphonies has constantly offered interesting and thought-provoking interpretations alongside striking performances. Wigglesworth started his traversal with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, recording Symphonies Nos. 5, 6, 7, 10 and 14 with that orchestra, and in 2005 continued the project with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra.

The First and the Fifteen Symphonies are the alpha and omega of a symphonic production that spans almost 50 years of Shostakovich’s life. Perhaps more than any other body of musical works, these symphonies reflect a unique snapshot of 20th century political events – the Communist revolution, World War II, Stalinist oppression – and their creator's reactions to them.

Composer: Dmitri Shostakovich
Conductor: Mark Wigglesworth
Orchestra/Ensemble: Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra

Reviews: This release completes Mark Wigglesworth’s generally excellent Shostakovich cycle. It’s a pity that another coupling for the Fifteenth Symphony could not have been found, since the First already has appeared alongside the Second and Third. On the other hand, no one especially cares about the Second and Third, so having Shostakovich’s first symphonic essay hitched to his last isn’t a bad idea, even if collectors acquiring this cycle one disc at a time may be annoyed. Presumably when the inevitable boxed set gets released, this will all be sorted out.

As mentioned in my review of the First Symphony, it’s a performance that gets better as it goes. The first movement, crisp and clear though it undoubtedly is, lacks that element of exaggerated humor that it ideally needs—it’s a function perhaps of less than characterful woodwind solos combined with a slightly low-level recording. The scherzo, swift and pointed, also could do with more devilry, but the Lento movement and finale remain impressive on re-hearing.

The Fifteenth Symphony features an interesting interpretation, deliberate and deadly serious even in the lighter moments, rather like Sanderling’s for those of you who know it. Its opening movement is on the slow side, but still clearly Allegretto. The big climaxes in the Adagio and the Finale are tremendous: grinding and terrifying, and powerfully sustained, while the Scherzo sounds as hollow and spooky as any on disc. As with the First Symphony, the dynamic range on this SACD is almost too wide: the soft bits are exceptionally quiet, while the climaxes risk antagonizing your neighbors. Nevertheless, the performance makes an imposing conclusion to a cycle that, quietly and without much fanfare, ranks among the best.

Tracklisting:

Shostakovich, Dmitry
Symphony No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 10
1. I. Allegretto - Allegro non troppo 00:08:33
2. II. Allegro 00:05:07
3. III. Lento 00:08:28
4. IV. Allegro molto 00:09:42
Symphony No. 15 in A Major, Op. 141
5. I. Allegretto 00:08:59
6. II. Adagio 00:15:43
7. III. Allegretto 00:04:32
8. IV. Adagio 00:16:49

EAC

Exact Audio Copy V1.0 beta 3 from 29. August 2011

EAC extraction logfile from 4. January 2015, 16:27

Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Mark Wigglesworth / Shostakovich - Symphonies Nos. 1 & 15

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Thanks to the original releaser

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