Shostakovich - Theme & Variations in B-Flat Major Op. 3 - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Dmitri Shostakovich was one of the most prominent musical figures of the 20th century. He is renowned not only as a groundbreaking composer but also as an outstanding performer. In honor of the 40th anniversary of his passing in 2015, Warner Classics is releasing this 2-CD set of the composer playing his own music, which includes material previously unreleased on CD.

(Sym.1) Incha good performance, with a strong feeling of chamber music to it and a remarkable attention to (occasionally exaggeration of) the quieter dynamic markings (Sym.3) Incha much better recorded account of the Third Symphony, is brilliantly played and very vividly characterized. I was particularly struck by Rozhdestvensky's use of solo instead of tutti strings in the slow section (with what justification I have no idea, but it is poignantly effective) and by his powerful dramatization of those huge orchestral recitatives that prepare for the choral finale they are massively and balefully eloquent, qualities that rivals miss by taking them very fast.Inch (Gramophone).

Dmitri Shostakovich's Ballet Suite No. 1 for Orchestra performed by the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra with Emin Khachaturian conducting.