A belated thank you for your support, Antonio.

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Dmitri Shostakovich - Symphony No. 15 (Kurt Sanderling; Berlin Symphony Orchestra)


Information

Composer: Dmitri Shostakovich
  1. Symphony No. 15 in A major, Op. 141: I. Allegretto
  2. Symphony No. 15 in A major, Op. 141: II. Adagio - Largo - Adagio - Largo
  3. Symphony No. 15 in A major, Op. 141: III. Allegretto
  4. Symphony No. 15 in A major, Op. 141: IV. Adagio - Allegretto - Adagio - Allegretto

Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Kurt Sanderling, conductor
Date: 1978
Label: Berlin Classics


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Review

"... Symphony No. 15: Another study in contrasts. The first movement is given a light treatment with precise rhythms, heavily personalized solos, and bright, surging tempos, almost as though it were a slightly more decorous sibling to the Ninth Symphony’s opening Allegro. An undercurrent of danger still makes itself felt in bitonal entries and the eerily soft fugal passage, with especially well delineated cross rhythms. Much the same can be said of the Scherzo, taken as marked at an allegretto pace, allowing the soloists to revel in its eccentric yet subdued character. The lengthy second and fourth movements are taken very slowly, once again, with Sanderling maintaining an exquisite intensity throughout based on subtly gradated dynamics and rhythmic pulse. It’s chance taking, without a doubt, but he succeeds well. Again, an excellent performance overall."

"... These are highly individualized conceptions of the Shostakovich symphonies, as you can tell. Symphonies Nos. 8 and 15 are very fine indeed, while most of the rest are impressive but individualistic; which means you may not find Sanderling as compelling in them as I do. 

The Berlin Symphony Orchestra is another part of what makes these performances special. They are not in the world-beater league, and occasional bobbles or scuffed passages show up on all discs. On the other hand, their long association with the conductor (all these recordings were made towards the end of his period in charge, or directly after it) makes them an appropriate vehicle for his interpretations, relying heavily upon the excellence of his musicians. 

The analog engineering is first-rate, both close and well balanced, without any evidence of aural spotlighting. The five albums each come with their own set of liner notes. In all but one, Sanderling answers intelligent questions posed about the music being performed, and does so in detail and without any condescending airs. In short, this Shostakovich won’t be to everybody’s taste, but I personally find it richly rewarding. Highly recommended."

--  Barry Brenesal, FANFARE
reviewing BERLIN 9217 - Shostakovich: Symphonies 1, 5, 6, 8, 10 & 15 / Sanderling, Berlin SO

More reviews
http://www.amazon.com/Shostakovich-Symphony-No-15/dp/B0000035RY

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dmitri Shostakovich (25 September 1906 – 9 August 1975) was a Russian composer and pianist, and a prominent figure of 20th-century music. Shostakovich achieved fame in the Soviet Union, but later had a complex and difficult relationship with the government. Shostakovich's music is characterized by sharp contrasts, elements of the grotesque, and ambivalent tonality; the composer was also heavily influenced by the neo-classical style pioneered by Igor Stravinsky, and (especially in his symphonies) by the post-Romanticism associated with Gustav Mahler.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dmitri_Shostakovich

***

Kurt Sanderling (19 September 1912 – 17 September 2011) was a German Jewish conductor. He fled the Nazi in 1936, left for Soviet Union. From 1942 to 1960, he was joint principal conductor with Yevgeny Mravinsky of the Leningrad Philharmonic. He was also a close friend of Dmitri Shostakovich. He returned to East Germany where he led the Berlin Symphony Orchestra and Dresden Staatskapelle. He made his British debut in 1970 and later became particularly associated with the Philharmonia Orchestra. Sanderling announced his retirement from conducting in 2002. His three sons are also conductors.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

FLAC, tracks
Links in comment
Enjoy!

2 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Copy Adfly (adf.ly/XXXXXX) or Shortest link (shorte.st/XXXXX or viid.me/XXXXXX) to your browser's address bar, wait 5 seconds, then click on 'Skip [This] Ad' (yellow button, top right).
    If Adfly or Shortest ask you to download anything, IGNORE them, only download from file hosting site (mega.nz).
    If MEGA says 'Bandwidth Limit Exceeded', try to register a free account.

    MEGA
    http://adf.ly/1K8c3t

    booklet
    https://mega.nz/#!g5pkQQIR!z0uP8dEV_t-WKcFyo_xQ0kDdJXOUhgsNP45e9CM0Jjk

    ReplyDelete