Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Such clarity!, 31 May 2007
I've never written a review before, but my listening to this CD after I bought it earlier has compelled me to do so!
This recording of three truly great solists, Yo Yo Ma, André Previn and Leonard Bernstein, is simply fantastic. The amazing work of Shostakovich is given a new lease of life by these contemporary performers, who definitely breathe into it new life.
Typically, Shostakovich's cello music is attributed to Rostropovich, but I think Yo Yo Ma's interpretation of this - his edgy sound - is something to rival even him.
This is definitely a CD you'll want to play on loud - the orchestral clarity and recording quality is simply divine.
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1 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not really my bag, 28 Mar 2009
I thought it was a bit risky buying this Shostakovich CD purely on the strength of wanting to own his famous adagio, and it turns out my fears were founded. Shostakovich is well known for writing stuttery, rather untuneful melodies and apart from the afore mentioned adagio which is pure bliss, I found the listen rather disjointed and uncomfortable. It's certainly not one to chill out to. It probably needs a lot of plays before you begin to get some kind of handle on it. Unless you're a real fan of this composer's music, I'd suggest you get the adagio (if that's what you're after) on a compilation CD e.g. Romantic Adagios I.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
An all-star cast doesn't fail to dissapoint!, 28 May 2009
I bought the CD after hearing Piano Concerto No. 2 for the first time at a stunningly fantastic performance at the Royal Festival Hall in London. The soloist Martin Helmchen took the piece at a very leisurely and mesaured pace without lacking on the playful character of the piece, which worked wonderfully, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra were at their best. Leonard Bernstien's approach is similarly measured, but again it by no means lacks any flare, passion, and virtuosity, and is a stunning performance. I daresay the performance is better than the other CD on sale on Amazon where the composer, his son and, grandson take turns at each movement. For example, Dmitri's performance on the first movement, in my opinion, is too rushed, and Maxim's performance of the 2nd movement to me comes across as a little flat.
What was great about the CD is the inclusion of the Piano Concerto No.1 and also the Cello Concerto, two pieces I was unfamiliar with before purchasing the CD. Both Yo-Yo Ma and Andre Previn perform brilliantly and both pieces are a joy to listen too.
Overall, a brilliant showcase of three great Shostacovich concertos, performed by three fanastic soloist! A must for any Shostacovich lover.
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~ Dmitri Shostakovich
~ Dmitri Shostakovich
~ Sir Edward Elgar
~ Glenn Gould
~ Dmitry Shostakovich
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