Dmitri Shostakovich - Violin Concerto; Cello Concerto (David Oistrakh; Mstislav Rostropovich)

Information

Composer: Dmitri Shostakovich

1. Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 99: I. Nocturne. Adagio
2. Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 99: II. Scherzo. Allegro non troppo
3. Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 99: III. Passacaglia. Andante
4. Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 99: IV. Burlesca. Allegro con brio
5. Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 107: I. Allegretto
6. Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 107: II. Moderato
7. Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 107: III. Cadenza
8. Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 107: IV. Allegro con molto

David Oistrakh, violin (1-4)
Mstislav Rostropovich, cello (5-8)
New York Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Dimitri Mitropoulos (1-4)
Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by Eugene Ormandy (5-8)

Date: 1956 (1-4), 1959 (5-8)
Label: Sony Classical

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Review

Historical Gems: Shostakovich First Concertos for Violin and Cello

Shostakovich had the great good fortune to write for Russia’s finest soloists, who also happened to be the among world’s best. David Oistrakh remade the First Violin Concerto with the composer’s son on the podium (EMI), but he never bettered this singularly intense performance from 1956, captured in excellent mono sound. Mitropoulos had a particular gift for contemporary music, especially of the nervous and twitchy sort, and that describes the Shostakovich to a tee, at least in the quick movements. That said, the pungent spikiness of the scherzo and finale, yield to this noble but always propulsive account of the great third movement passacaglia, followed immediately by Oistrakh’s alternately probing and brilliant cadenza.

The same qualities of idiomatic musical ownership describe Rostropovich’s first official recording of the First Cello Concerto, which was supervised by the composer in Philadelphia right after the work’s U.S. premiere. One of the more striking aspects of this performance is the moderate tempo of the opening movement. It makes us realize just how dependent on the actual sound of the cello the music really is, and how much confidence Shostakovich placed in Rostropovich, who pours out the tone unstintingly and quite literally sustains the entire movement. The expressive power he brings the second subject is unforgettable, but he follows it up with a gorgeous account of the slow movement and a cadenza and finale that remain points of reference for all future performances. Ormandy and the Philadelphia provide accompaniments that amazed the composer, as they should us as well.

The Cello Concerto dates from 1959, and features stereo sonics that have held up very well. It might seem strange to consider these performances “historical,” in the sense that they are not transfers from grotty old 78s or live air checks of dubious provenance, but they are more than half a century old, and if that’s not historical then what is? They are also reference recordings for both concertos, even with so many fine modern versions available (Mullova in the Violin Concerto, Schiff in the two cello concertos, both on Philips).

-- David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday

More reviews:
https://www.amazon.com/Shostakovich-Violin-Concerto-Op-Cello/dp/B000007QCK

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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

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David Oistrakh (September 30 [O.S. September 17] 1908 – October 24, 1974) was a renowned Soviet classical violinist. He is considered one of the preeminent violinists of the 20th century and the dedicatee of numerous violin works, including both of Dmitri Shostakovich's violin concerti, and the violin concerto by Aram Khachaturian. Oistrakh's playing was not so much marked by brilliance, but by richness, lyricism, roundness of tone.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Oistrakh

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Mstislav Rostropovich (March 27, 1927 – April 27, 2007), was a Soviet and Russian cellist and conductor. He is considered to be one of the greatest cellists of the 20th century. In addition to his interpretations and technique, he was well known for both inspiring and commissioning new works, which enlarged the cello repertoire more than any cellist before or since. He inspired and premiered over 100 pieces, forming long-standing friendships and artistic partnerships with composers such as Dmitri Shostakovich, Sergei Prokofiev, ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mstislav_Rostropovich

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