Gergiev, Mariinsky - Shostakovich: Complete Symphonies & Concertos (2015)

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Gergiev, Mariinsky - Shostakovich: Complete Symphonies & Concertos (2015)

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Nobody is better suited to undertake such a challenge than Valery Gergiev and his Mariinsky Orchestra. Over a period of a year all 15 Symphonies and 6 Concertos have been recorded at Salle Pleyel in Paris. What an adventure for the artists and the big production team! Never before in the history of television has something like this been undertaken including the very first "Ring" for television at Bayreuth.

Dmitri Shostakovich is arguably one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. To understand his music one needs to see it in the context of his life, his social environment, the political situation, the unbelievable brutality with which the Communist Party enforced its ideological credo and the subtle ways with which Shostakovich succeeded in combining his innermost thoughts with the demands of Socialist Realism. He was a man of many faces. And beyond any doubt Dmitri Shostakovich was a musical genius. The Shostakovich Cycle includes introductions for each symphony and concerto by Valery Gergiev. The fascinating documentary "Dmitri Shostakovich A Man of Many Faces" explores the life and work of the composer based on rare archive footage and interviews. A comprehensive book with particularised texts about each symphony and concerto provides deep insights into life and work of Dmitri Shostakovich. The Play Music Only Function is available to experience Shostakovich's wonderful music nonstop!

Composer: Dmitri Shostakovich
Performer: Daniil Trifonov, Timur Martynov, Denis Matsuev, Veronika Dzhioeva, …
Conductor: Valery Gergiev
Orchestra/Ensemble: St. Petersburg Mariinsky Theater Orchestra, St. Petersburg Mariinsky Theater Chorus

Reviews: In the documentary 'Shostakovich against Stalin', Valery Gergiev the conductor of the music in this box set, stated the following about Shostakovich, that "he was a Man of his time, a voice of his time, a voice of his country". Gergiev continues, by 1937 it was clear that the country was becoming one big concentration camp, so there was no place for the composer, for he was too big". (REVIEWS BELOW) Another voice mentions "I refuse to believe everyone is an idiot, that they did not know what was going on, and now say Stalin was so cruel and we were tricked. Did'nt they know the war was being waged against them, the people".

THE BOX SET:

The box set is made of tough cardboard. The lid covers the entire box, which is a very light off brown white. There are four sides, one has the soloists names, the other about the symphonies in English. Another side, all the technical details. The box is the same colour as the lid, which has descriptions of the symphonies in German and French. On the bottom of the box, Live from Salle Pleyel, Paris 2013/14. Conductor Valery Gergiev conducting the Orchestra and chorus of the Mariinsky theatre. Soloists. the 4 blurays with details of what music is to be played. The symphonies are not in strict order. The special feature is Shostakovich-a Man of many faces. A film by Reiner Moritz (2015). Explores the life and work of the composer based on rare archive footage and interviews. A hard covered book, the same colour as the box, with details of his life, the background in which his music was written, plus explanations about his symphonies. Pictures, details of the lives of the soloists, plus symphonies, movements and when recorded. All presented on shiny expensive white paper with 150 pages. Nicely presented. In English, French and German. A Arthaus catalogue with details of all their bluray's and DVD's, 160 pages.

The slip cases are not the smaller Bluray, but the taller DVD. The front has the symphonies or concerto's on it. On the back the tracking numbers and movements. The box is the size of a DVD when laid flat. The Bluray disc is the same colour as the box, the number says bluray 1 or 2 etc. Each symphony and concerto has a about a 5 minute introduction by conductor Valery Gergiev. Bluray One is 252 minutes. Two is 273 minutes. Three 219 minutes. Four 216 minutes. This Shostakovich Arthaus box set is beautifully produced and is a clear winner over other bluray box sets. I never really state in my reviews you should buy this, I either hint at it, or leave it to the reader to decide, but this time, I am clearly saying buy this set, you will not be disappointed. The sound is good and the camera does not move around as if it is on roller skates, and the picture is clear, the camera is where it should be. So you see the orchestra and its different members, plus the conductor who uses a very small baton, about the size of a toothpick.

REVIEWS:

The conductor Valery Gergiev feels the music in his bones, his tempi are just right, swift when required, emotional, loud, slowish if needed. He is the music, as it whirls around him like a cloak. He is the best interpreter of Shostakovich today. This Russian music fits the orchestra like a glove.

SYMPHONIES:

NO 1.(1924/25)Alexander Glazanov, the head of Petrogard Conservatory, voiced amazement at the composer's virtuosity in orchestration, others thought such a mature work could not be found in a first symphony by someone so young. He was aged 19. This work has remained one of Shostakovich's most popular works

NO 2 (1927) and 3 (1929) are products of the period when the Arts were more liberal and experimentation was all the rage.

No 3 was criticised for its abstract tone and audacious design. They lead the way to symphony no 4.

No 4 (1935/36) The composer wanted to elevate himself to the level of Mahler whose works he admired. He submitted the symphony to Otto Klemperer who thought highly of it. He had done this because his Lady Macbeth of Mtsenek had been denounced and condemned by Pravada. However, it was decided by the conductor of the piece then in rehearsal, it might be better if he withdrew it. The 4th seems to be a disillusioned reflection on the trials and tribulations of existence. Premiere Moscow 1961 Cond Krill Kondrashin.

No 5 (1937) The all powerful union of composer demanded to read the score, the piece was accepted. The 5th was put into the hands of conductor Yevgeny Mravinsky, barely 35 years old. After the performance the applause lasted for 30 minutes. The emotional character, the force of its ideas, the direction expression of feelings, the brilliant orchestration probably explain this success. The score is, even today, one of the composers most played works. He was now back in the fold. "It as been stated that the final, the joy is forced, its as though they hit us all, your duty is to be delighted. So beneath the enthusiasm lurks suffering". From the booklet.

No 6 (1939) is a turning point for the composer. A work of bereavement linked to the expression of suffering. "We acquired a spiritual life during the war, which became rich and intense" says Shostakovich. Everything had meaning. The critics did not like it

No 7(1941) The most famous of Shostakovich's symphonies, the 'Leningrad.' This symphony was written when he was a fire warden at this city when it was besieged during World War 2, but he was evacuated against his wishes to Moscow in October 1941, where he finished the symphony. The work was performed in New York by Toscanini in 1942. However, on the 9th August 1942, in Leningrad while under fire, the starving musicians played the symphony in the concert Hall. This event was retransmitted across every radio station. The composer spoke for millions of people via this symphony, for they were not going to give up their country and this music showed their spirit. The Last two movements are movingly conducted by Gergiev

No 8 (1943) A lot of power. "The last movement is otherworldly, the whole universe is open to you" says Gergiev. There is silence after this movement, because of the sheer emotion Gergiev shows and he has to compose himself.

No 9 (1945) Mravinsky the conductor said of this symphony, "it was created to stand against philistines, with their indulgences and their pomposities, their vain worries about resting upon their laurels." Stalin had expected a grand symphony in praise of him and his great victory.

No 10 (1953) In this symphony Shostakovich stated "he had attempted to express the feelings and passions of Mankind." It really is a symphony about his idealizsed love for a former student, with whom he shared his ideas on this symphony. They could not live together or marry for various reasons. Many years later his ex lady friend explained the truth about this symphony.

No 11 (1957) the 'year 1905' and No 12 (1960/61)'The year 1917'. According to Penguin classical guide 2008, symphony no 11 was to the Soviet audiences of the time not about 1905, but 1956, where the Soviet Union had just suppressed the Hungarian uprising in Budapest.

No 13 (1962) "Babi Yar", Kiev in Ukraine, is where thousands of Jews were slaughtered by the Nazi's from 1941 onwards. When the composer heard about Yevtushenko's poem on this vile act he wanted to write a symphony about the scourge of anti-Semitism. "Before the poem, people kept silent about the killings only mentioning the Russians. Once they had read the poem, the silence was shattered." The theme of anti-Semitism unified all five poems.(SUBTITLES) Their verses alluded to the oppression of the Jews in Ancient Egypt and during the Christian era as well as the Dreyfus affair, where a French officer who happened to be a Jew, was said to be passing on military secrets to the Germans. He was found guilty and sent to Devils Island. However, after Zola's J'accuse letter in the papers and a retrial; eventually the true spy was found. There had been a cover up. After a period of time, Dreyfus was found to be innocent and released from prison. He fought in the First War. Also, Anne Frank aged 12, the Dutch Jewish girl who was sent to a concentration camp and died there in World War Two. Her diary became a best seller which she wrote while hiding out in a house with her parents. Shostakovich though not a Jew was sympathetic to their plight. Mikhail Petrenko (Bass). He sings this piece beautifully, capturing its meaning.

No 14 (1969) Shostakovich was inspired by Moussorgsky's Songs and Dances of Death, Mercury Living Presence. Vishnevskaya soprano- Rostropovich piano. This symphony is about the unjust and cruel face of death. The composer sees nothing beautiful in the end to our lives. The pessimistic outlook of some of the following poets brought together an ensemble of 11 poems. Frederico Lorca, Guilliaume Apollinaire, Wilhelm Kuchelbecker, and Rainer Rilker. They are closer to a song cycle then a symphony. The expressive intensity is enforced by its stripped down composition. Veronika Dzhioeva(soprano). Mikhail Petrenko (Bass). Both have distinctive voices and blend well.(SUBTITLES).

No 15 (1971). See if you can recognise one or two of the popular melodies in this symphony. This was his farewell to the world.

CONCERTO'S:

Concerto for violin and orchestra No 1. (1947/48) Created after Stalin's death, this concerto, the longest of this composers works, contains numerous allusions to this troubled period. It was dedicated to David Oistrakh. Vadim Repin violin, is brilliant especially in the Passacaglia (Andante). This movement is played solo quite a bit of the time and Repin is sensational, capturing the sheer emotion of this piece.

Concerto for violin and Orchestra No 2.(1967) Alena Baeva Violin. A brilliant young violinist who captures the sheer intensity of this piece and finds no difficulties with this concerto. Gergiev in his interview states "this work is more modest, spiritual and philosophical."

Concerto for Cello and Orchestra no 1.(1959) Gautier Capucon-cello, with Gergiev make a perfect partnership. The opening movement reminds me of Britten. The slow movement is played with sheer sensuousness and feeling. He brings all his intense passion to this piece; reminds me of the young Dupre. The audience goes completely wild, as they should. I did. No 2 Cello concerto(1966) Mario Brunello -cello.

Concerto for Piano, String Orchestra and Trumpet No 1.(1933) Daniil Trifonov-piano. Timur Martynov- trumpet. " You wait. It is going to be a great ride. The left hand is going crazy, for it is hard for pianists." said Gergiev. Trifonov meets the challenges as does Martynov. Concerto for piano and Orchestra No 2.(1957) Denis Matsuev- piano. Written for his son Maxim. This concerto is not difficult to play, and is full of hope and beauty. Maxim became a conductor promoting his father's symphonies where ever he conducted in the West. Matsuev plays an encore.

PCM STEREO. DTS HD Master Audio 5.0. 16.9. Subtitles. English, German, French, Korean, Japanese. 1080i High Definition. REGION WORLDWIDE. 4 Blurays. Symphonies and Concerto's 970 minutes. 56 mins introductions. 54 mins documentary.

THE RIDDLE THAT WAS SHOSTAKOVICH.

To Shostokovich (1906-1975) after the Revolution in 1917 everything was possible including New Art, the old was swept away as decadent except Beethoven. So the first three symphonies represented this Modernism, showing audacity in these orchestral works that would never happen again. After Lenin's death, Stalin gradually imprisoned or killed his enemies, in fact he turned on his people. For example, in 1936 he watched the popular opera of the composer's, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, he was offended by it and left. Shortly afterwards, the composer was attacked by an article in Pravada "Confusion instead of music", thus began an unprecedented smear campaign directed not just at his music but him as well. Also permission was denied for the composer to perform his new 4th Symphony. The Premiere took place in 1962 conducted by Kondrashin.

By 1937 the great terror had caused many of the composers friends and relatives to be imprisoned or killed. He himself was told to go to the NKVD headquarters (renamed KGB), the state security branch to be investigated. When he did, he was told he was not on the list, for the investigator had been taken away and shot. Because of this fear of being arrested it changed him and his music. After the Premiere in 1937 of the 5th symphony conducted by Mravinsky, who conducted many of Shostakovich's premiere's was a success, he was back in favour again. The composer went through many tribulations, especially in 1948. Eventually, in 1960 Shostakovich joined the Communist Party. This has been interpreted in many ways, as a show of commitment, cowardice, political pressure, or this was his own decision. He told his wife he was blackmailed and his friends said he was suicidal about it. But in a police state where fear is normal, anything is possible. I know, I grew up in one, and was told to leave by the security police if I knew what was good for me, because of my outspokeness.

However, in this box set's booklet, statements from Testimony written by Solomon Volkov, said to be dictated to him by Shostakovich are included. Its authenticity has been questioned, about the composer putting secret meanings in the music about Stalin, the leadership and his country. Though it has been established that his documented thoughts and deeply held convictions hold up. This book has caused heated arguments amongst some musicologists and fans of the composer. You may wish to read Elizabeth Wilson's book Shostakovich- "a Life Remembered", based on reminiscences from those who knew him. A good insight into the man. She was anti-Volkov. The case for Volkov's book is put by Alan. B. Ho and Dmitry Feofanov "Shostakovich reconsidered". A strong case for Testimony being true is put forward. A DVD Film by Tony Palmer about Shostakovich is "Testimony". The Sunday times states " it is a masterpiece.. exceptional. A hit. All available at Amazon.

REFERENCES: Booklet: Shostakovich and his symphonies. Arthaus 2015. Ewen, D, The world of 20th Century music. 1968. Prentice-Hall. Weinstein, L. Shostakovich against Stalin- The war symphonies. Phillips. DVD. Wilson, E. Shostakovich. A Life Remembered. 2006. Princeton University Press.

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Gergiev, Mariinsky - Shostakovich: Complete Symphonies & Concertos (2015)

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Gergiev, Mariinsky - Shostakovich: Complete Symphonies & Concertos (2015)

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