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CD REVIEW | Jurowski Conducts Shostakovich

By Paul E. Robinson on December 1, 2014

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Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 6 and 14
Tatiana Monogarova, soprano. Sergei Leiferkus, baritone
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Vladimir Jurowski
LPO – 0080 (77:58)

Just over a month ago the London Philharmonic and its music director Vladimir Jurowski gave a concert in Roy Thomson Hall that elicited rave reviews. The major work on the program was the Symphony No. 8 by Shostakovich. Clearly, Jurowski had a special affinity for the music of this composer. Here they are again, on a new CD on the orchestra’s own label, and again playing symphonic music by Shostakovich. And again it would be appropriate to reach for the superlatives.

The Symphony No. 6 is one of those Shostakovich pieces that often puzzle both listeners and critics. The first movement lasting nearly 20 minutes is deeply serious and very dark but the last two movements are much lighter even light-hearted in character. The usual explanation is that in 1939 Shostakovich was trying to express his innermost feelings (first movement) but at the same time trying to mollify the Soviet authorities who required music that was uplifting. Years later, in 1969 when he wrote the Symphony No. 14 Shostakovich made no attempt to be ‘uplifting.’ This symphony is about death in all its grisly forms, and there is no relief at the end or anywhere else.

Jurowski drives the last movement of the Sixth very hard and very fast. His view seems to be that if this is cheerful music it is also manic, the cheerfulness of a madman. Tremendous playing here making this one of the best recordings of the work in many years.

Some listeners may be interested in acquiring the first Western recording of the Sixth Symphony made by Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1940. It was issued on CD a few years ago by Music & Arts (CD-1232). Then there is the excellent DVD by Bernstein and the Vienna Philharmonic (DG B0006578). Bernstein’s take on the last movement is that its true character only emerges at a much slower tempo than is the norm. Bernstein is nearly always insightful but in this case I think Jurowski is the one who gets it right.

The performance of the Symphony No. 14 conducted by Jurowski is even better. The string playing is stunning in its virtuosity and intensity. In the third song “Lorelei” the strings play with astonishing accuracy and fire and at a lightning fast tempo. The soloists are virtually ideal. Leiferkus’ voice is showing signs of wear but he sings with such dark authority it really doesn’t matter. Monogarova likewise delivers the text and the music with a real appreciation of its profound horror and sadness.

All in all this is a magnificent pair of performances. Let’s hope this is the beginning of a Shostakovich cycle for Jurowski and the LPO.

Paul E. Robinson

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