N. Myaskovsky; D. Kabalevsky; D. Shostakovich - Symphonies (David Measham; Bernard Herrmann)

Information

Composer: Nikolai Myaskovsky; Dmitri Kabalevsky; Dmitri Shostakovich

• (01) Myaskovsky - Symphony No. 21, Op. 51
• (02-04) Kabalevsky - Symphony No. 2, Op. 19
• (05-10) Shostakovich - Incidental Music to the Film 'Hamlet', Op. 116a

New Philharmonia Orchestra
David Measham, conductor (1-4)
National Philharmonic Orchestra
Bernard Herrmann, conductor (05-10)

Date: 1973 (1-4), 1975 (5-8)
Label: Unicorn-Kanchana

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Review

Miaskovsky's twenty-first was for a long time the one symphony which kept his name alive in the West. Originally a 1940 Chicago Symphony commission (the orchestra had played several of his symphonies in the 1920s and 1930s) its tunefulness and concision helped it to win and keep a place in the affections of many listeners. The single 20-minute movement is in a well-behaved sonata form, framed by its introductory material. The subtitle 'Fantasy' is rather a misnomer; nor is there any conspicuous sign of the times in which it was composed. But the themes are attractive in their friendly, neo-romantic-Waltonian way, and for the most part they are capable of standing up to the extensive repetition to which they are subjected—altogether an audience-friendly and rewarding piece.

Kabalevsky's Second is no less indebted to the Rimsky-Korsakov academic line of symphonism—Russian romantic but without the emotional pressure. It is the kind of symphony which makes you want to file an examiner's report—a very laudatory report, mind you, but one in which admiration for craftsmanship is the abiding impression. In short this is, as later Soviet critics held (but for different reasons), a thoroughly formalistic work, and thoroughly enjoyable as such.

These Unicorn-Kanchana recordings were always much better than run-throughs, and their reissue is a welcome one, the more so since there is currently no alternative version of the Miaskovsky available. There is much sensitive phrasing from the New Philharmonia in this work, and the outer movements of the Kabalevsky go at a fine lick while the hushed conclusion of his slow movement is beautifully handled. The only signs of short acquaintance are some scrabbly passages in the violins, which are also a drawback in the National Philharmonic Orchestra's playing of the Palace Ball movement in the Shostakovich Hamlet Suite. But never mind. This too is an idiomatic performance in its gritty determination, and rival versions certainly show no superior understanding of this bleak score.

The recordings still sound first-rate, and all in all this is an extremely worthwhile issue.

-- Gramophone

More reviews:
BBC Music Magazine  PERFORMANCE: **** / SOUND: ****
https://www.amazon.com/Myaskovsky-Symphony-Kabalevsky-Shostakovich-Incidental/dp/B000001PBV

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Nikolai Myaskovsky (20 April [O.S. 8 April] 1881 – 8 August 1950) was a Russian and Soviet composer. He is sometimes referred to as the "Father of the Soviet Symphony". Myaskovsky wrote a total of 27 symphonies (plus three sinfoniettas, three concertos and works in other orchestral genres), 13 string quartets, 9 piano sonatas as well as many miniatures and vocal works. He is professor of composition at Moscow Conservatory from 1921 until his death, and há an important influence on his pupils. His students include big names such as  Aram Khachaturian, Dmitri Kabalevsky, Rodion Shchedrin and Boris Tchaikovsky.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikolai_Myaskovsky

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Dmitri Kabalevsky (30 December [O.S. 17 December] 1904 – 14 February 1987) was a Russian composer. He helped to set up the Union of Soviet Composers in Moscow and remained one of its leading figures. He was a prolific composer of piano music and chamber music; many of his piano works have been performed by Vladimir Horowitz. Kabalevsky wrote for all musical genres and was consistently faithful to the ideals of socialist realism. In Russia, Kabalevsky is most noted for his vocal songs, cantatas, and operas while overseas he is known for his orchestral music, especially the "Comedians' Galop" from The Comedians Suite, Op. 26.

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

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Dmitri Shostakovich (25 September 1906 – 9 August 1975) was a Russian composer, 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 by the post-Romanticism associated with Gustav Mahler. Shostakovich's works include 15 symphonies, 15 string quartets, and a substantial quantity of film music.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dmitri_Shostakovich

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Bernard Herrmann (June 29, 1911 – December 24, 1975) was an American composer best known for his work in composing for motion pictures. An Academy Award-winner, Herrmann is particularly known for his collaborations with director Alfred Hitchcock. He also worked extensively in radio drama and TV, and wrote several concert pieces, including his Symphony in 1941. As a conductor, Herrmann was known as an ardent champion of the lesser-known composers such as Joachim Raff. Herrmann conducted the world premiere recording of Raff's Fifth Symphony "Lenore" for the Unicorn label, which he mainly financed himself.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Herrmann

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