Shostakovich: Symphonies 2 & 12 - Kofman

MDG Gold 937 1206-6
Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid
Classical - Orchestral
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 2 Op. 14 "To October", Symphony No. 12 Op. 112 "The Year 1917"
Czech Philharmonic Choir Brno
Beethoven Orchester Bonn
Roman Kofman (conductor)
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Review by John Broggio - April 14, 2007
This disc pairs what are commonly perceived to be Shostakovich's weakest symphonies. This is probably a wise decision from MDG because those who are indifferent to collecting yet another version of these works may ignore this disc without missing one of the higher points of Shostakovich's output if they are following this cycle.
Both symphonies are accorded readings of admirable devotion combined with a direct approach to the scores. Opening with very soft, stealthy basses the second symphony slowly but steadily builds to a dense climax. The factory whistle is most definitely not the unison brass texture sanctioned by Shostakovich as an alternative! The choir add a tangy Slavic timbre to the proceedings and acquit themselves well.
The twelfth symphony is given an expansive rendition, similar in conception to the account that Haitink gave with the Concertgebouw in 1982 (RBCD). The Beethoven Orchester Bonn compares remarkably well to their more illustrious competitors - although it must be said that this is hardly the sort of music that will have one reaching for comparisons of orchestral textures. The one notable departure is Kofman's refusal to milk the final coda by dragging it to ever more preposterous grandioseness. Whilst this takes the music more at face value, it loses a certain ironical feel that is alluded to in the notes about Shostakovich's "homage" to Lenin.
MDG's recording is extraordinarily wide ranging - this definitely one of those "not if the neighbours are in" efforts! However, the use of the 2+2+2 system in large scale works definitely has drawbacks for those unable or unwilling to invest in additional speakers or time in changing the set-up from one disc to another. There is a certain amount of clarity that is missing to make this recording a jewel from a sonic perspective, exciting though the factory whistle sounds.
Fine playing, reasonable recording of largely unexceptional music that doesn't quite persuade one of the need to listen repeatedly.
Copyright © 2007 John Broggio and HRAudio.net
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