Performance ****      Recording *****

"The revival of interest in the film music of Dmitri Shostakovich continues with this magnificent new recording of three of his soundtracks by conductor Vassily Sinaisky and the BBC Philharmonic ..." ****

"... The Chandos issue will appeal to film music buffs and Shostakovich completists, but it deserves to reach a wider audience given the flair and dynamism of the music-making and the high quotient of tunes. As I observed last time round, Sinaisky is always right inside the idiom, just the man for the job."

"Shostakovich hated writing for films. Yet the melodic invention , orchestration and atmospheric variety of these scores completely belies their money-earning inspiration ... Vivid recording, compelling performances."

"... As ever with this partnership, the BBC Philharmonic players pull out all the stops for their principal guest conductor Vassily Sinaisky, and the music-making is lively and distinctive... The Gadfly - from raucous "Folk Festival" and " Galep" to sultry "Romance" - has rarely been played with such obvious enthusiasm and relish for all its wit and eccentricities."

"... I haven't heard all recordings of The Gadfly suite, but I feel comfortable in saying that Sinaisky's probably is at the front of the pack, given the refined yet lively playing of the BBC Philharmonic ..."

Elizabeth Wilson in her excellent ‘Shostakovich A life Remembered’ lists fourteen films for which Shostakovich wrote the music, but makes no reference to The Gadfly. The booklet for this recording reveals that whilst the film score was by Shostakovich, the suite was put together by Levon Atovmyan. Reassuringly, E.W. tells us that Atovmyan was “Shostakovich’s lifelong friend and ally” and that “S… trusted A… at every level and allowed him to make arrangements of his film and theatre music”. Shostakovich was very protective of all he wrote: he once told Klemperer, who tried to persuade him to reduce the number of flutes required for his 4th Symphony, that “what is written with the pen cannot be scratched out with an axe”. However, he did not interfere with conductors when interpreting his scores, so perhaps we might view Atovmyan’s work in that light. Be that as it may, what we have on this disc is an example of cinematic music of the very first rank. Immediately accessible with allusions to Britten, Prokofiev, and Tchaikovsky and underpinned by the distinctive fingerprint of Shostakovich, this is music so evocative that, aided only by a slim knowledge of the story, one is transported deep into the turmoil of events in 1840’s Italy. Though accessible it is never cheap. The wonder is that the suite has so seldom been heard in the concert hall. At about 40 mins in length, it is near the average for a romantic symphony, but in fifty years of concert going, and looking at options at different venues I am unable to recall ever seeing The Gadfly being programmed. Astonishing and regrettable. In the Chandos recording of The Gadfly, the playing of the BBC Philharmonic is absolutely immaculate, with every voice in the orchestra beautifully balanced. Vassily Sinaisky articulates every mood to perfection and an authentic atmosphere is captured. How can one say this not having seen the film or read the book? Music usually speaks for itself and it certainly does so here. Highly recommended.

I heard the Gadfly suite recently at a concert but the other works were new to me. If you only know the Shostakovich of the symphonies then this is a great introduction to his somewhat lighter works. Great tunes and stunning orchestration. The BBC Phil play superbly and the recording will give your speakers a good work out!