Shostakovich: Suite on Words of Michelangelo/ Six Romances/October Orchestral & Concertos Vocal & Song Chandos

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DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH

(1906-1975)

Suite on Words of Michelangelo, Op. 145a

44:50

in Russian translations by Abram Efros

To Irina Shostakovich

Truth

5:09

Morning

2:44

Love

4:56

Parting

2:39

Anger

1:46

Dante

3:52

To the Exile

6:03

Creativity

3:46

Night (a dialogue)

4:22

10.

Death

5:33

11.

Immortality

3:55

Six Romances on Verses by Raleigh, Burns and Shakespeare, Op. 140

14:28

in Russian translations by Boris Pasternak and Samuil Marshak

12.

To the Son

4:32

(after To his Son by Sir Walter Raleigh)

To Lev Atovmyan

13.

In the fields in snow and rain

2:42

(after O wert thou in the cauld blast by Robert Burns)

To Nina Shostakovich

14.

McPherson before his execution

1:52

(after McPherson's Farewell by Robert Burns)

To Isaak Glikman

15.

Jenny

1:34

(after Comin' thro' the Rye by Robert Burns)

To Yuri (Georg) Sviridov

16.

Sonnet 66

2:58

(after Sonnet LXVI by William Shakespeare)

To Ivan Sollertinsky

17.

The King's Campaign

0:47

(After The Grand Old Duke of York - traditional)

To Vissarion Shebalin

18.

October, Op. 132

13:21

Symphonic poem

Moderato - Allegro

72:49

Solo: Ildar Abdrazakov bass

Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor: Gianandrea Noseda

5-7 April 2005

The Michelangelo cycle is perhaps Shostakovich’s most unfairly neglected masterpiece, embodying everything that is hest about late Shostakovich in its concentration and power… on balance the new recording is now a clear first choice…

International Record Review

Abdrazakov’s restraint brings its own rewards, allowing the songs to speak for with stoical wisdom, the more so thanks to his fabulously steady tone, which remains rich and euphonious across the entire register and dynamic range. The BBC Philharmonic and their principal conductor accompany with refinement and well aimed attack.

Gramophone

Austere, uncompromising stuff, it’s ideally suited to Gianandrea Noseda’s severe way with Shostakovich and he and the BBC Philharmonic illuminate its bleakly beautiful orchestral palette with great subtlety

The Guardian

The Suite on Words of Michelangelo (1974) is one of Shostakovich’s most moving late works, its spare orchestration perfectly adjusted to the mood of the texts. Preoccupation with death also haunts the Six Romances, setting of English poets composed in 1942 but not orchestrated with 1971 and characteristic of his bitter humour. Both cycles are superbly sung by the Russian-born bass Ildar Abdrazakov.

Sunday Telegraph

The performances are very strong. Abdrazakov has a superb voice that he uses effectively to convey the great range of emotions in this music. Let us hope we hear lots more from him. The orchestral playing is clean and passionate, with strong and perceptive direction by Noseda, and the recorded sound is excellent. Texts are supplied in four languages along with informative notes. What a welcome recording this is!

American Record Guide

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