Home > Categories > Music > CDs > Shostakovich - Chamber Music review

Shostakovich: is there more than symphonies and string quartets? Yes, this composer wrote a hugely varied oeuvre. His chamber music works are relatively few in number and cover the main genres. They also represent the different styles Shostakovich employed and span his entire career as a composer. The viola sonata is Shostakovich's very last composition.
This set of 3 CD's contains seven of the best works for small ensembles and solo instrument by Shostakovich. It includes the Piano quintet (1940) and Piano trio (1944). Also with both Sonatas for solo piano (1926, 1942), the Sonatas for violin, viola and cello respectively with piano accompaniment.
Of course, all these works have been recorded before. This set, however, offers an unusual and therefor attractive combination. For some reason most of these works are not performed in a concert hall that often.
Excellent performances by internationally renowned musicians like violinists Isabelle van Keulen and Paul Rosenthal. Also playing The Amsterdam Chamber Music Society (Het Reizend Muziekgezelschap).
Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars - The Motion Picture.
Any Given Thursday
Top of the World Tour - LIVE
Franz Ferdinand - Live
Tokyo Solo
Madama Butterfly
The Open Door
Soundboy Rock
Classic Artists : Jethro Tull
Bat Out of Hell
Blacklistt
Vanilla Ice
Dead SightProduct reviews...
Members are welcome to post a review. You will need to log in to post yours.
At under $30 for a three CD set, this is well within the realms of a budget recording, yet the price belies the standard of the recordings. Internationally reknown player have come together to produce a recording of the utmost quality.
The quality of the music and the sound on the CD is superior to many other recording of lower price. The choice of music is interesting, some of these pieces I am not familiar with and will enjoy getting to know the other side of the music that Shostakovich wrote. These recordings highlight music written for various instruments - piano, viola, violin and cello; and represent an interesting array of music written for these instruments in the modern age of 'classical' music.
For the price, the music and the musicians who collaborated on this release, I must say that this CD is worthy of a place in anyone's collection - including yours.
Random listing from 'Music'...
The Japanese composer Toshiro Mayuzumi enjoyed a distinguished international reputation on a par with that of Toru Takemitsu. Versatile and prolific, he contributed music for films, the theatre and broadcasts. This recording features two of his most rythmically exciting and exotically scored works from the 1960s, the ballad Bugaku, based on ancient Japanese imperial dance, and the Mandala Symphony, inspired by Buddhist teaching. Symphonic mood was Mayuzumi's first orchestral composition, while the colourful Rumba Rhapsody here recieves what is probably its first ever performance.
All trademarks, images and copyrights on this site are owned by their respective companies.
KIWIreviews is an independent entity, part of the Knock Out News Group. This is a free public forum presenting user opinions on selected products, and as such the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of kiwireviews.nz and are protected under New Zealand law by the "Honest Opinion" clause of the Defamation Act of 1992. KIWIreviews accepts no liability for statements made on this site, on the premise that they have been submitted as the true and honest opinions of the individual posters. In most cases, prices and dates stated are approximate and should be considered as only guidelines.
"No man deserves punishment for his thoughts. It is the actions that should be punished."
anonymous