Definitive Shostakovich

A collection of magnificent readings of Shostakovich's concertos.

Composer: Shostakovich
Repertoire: The Concerto Album
Artists: Paul Tortelier (vlc), Truls Mørk (vlc), Mikhail Rudy (pf), Berlin Phil, LPO, BBC SO, et al./Davis, Jansons, et al.

Rating: 5/5

Genre: Instrumental
Label: EMI Classics 509 4282

An anthology of Shostakovich’s complete concerto output, with his remarkable Piano Quintet a welcome bonus. David Oistrakh’s legendary 1972 recording of the Violin Concerto No.1 remains a gem: Shostakovich wrote the work for Oistrakh and no other performer has come near to his empathy with its unrelenting eeriness and black humour. Cellist Paul Tortelier’s interpretation of the Concerto No.1 is more thoughtful than Rostropovich’s bluster, while Truls Mørk’s reading of the Second has authority. The set opens with the satire of the Piano Concerto No.1. And those jokes aren’t lost on the Berlin Phil.