MDG Gold  937 1211-6

Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid

Classical - Orchestral

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 14 Op. 135

Iano Tamar (soprano)
Taras Shtonda (bass)
Beethoven Orchester Bonn
Roman Kofman (conductor)


“Pure musical event” (Pizzicato)
A “grand discographic project” (FonoForum) is now complete: Shostakovich’s complete symphonies are now available on MDG in the best SACD quality in 2+2+2 technique. Roman Kofman took his time with this recording venture, but it has been well worth the wait: Kofman develops an extraordinary artistic vision by letting the symphonist Shostakovich have his say instead of forming his interpretation against the background of political events. With Symphony No. 14 Kofman completes his eleven volume edition that has already earned its distinguished place as a “key recording” in the renowned Penguin Guide.

“World-class performances” (Acoustic Sounds)
Influenced by a depressing hospital stay, Shostakovich endowed his next-to-last symphony with an atmosphere of extreme gloom. His had originally intended it as a cantata for soprano, bass, and chamber orchestra with nineteen strings and percussion. With Mahler’s Lied von der Erde in mind, however, he then went on to compose a symphony for chamber ensemble featuring a cycle of vocal pieces with instrumental accompaniment based on poems by Federico García Lorca, Guillaume Apollinaire, and Rainer Maria Rilke.

“Model of presentation“ (Musicweb)
At the premiere performances of the Symphony No. 14 in September and October 1969 in Leningrad and Moscow, most of those present realized that they had experienced this great composer’s first “farewell work.” Alluding to the symphony’s eleven movements, the British ambassador wrote to Benjamin Britten, to whom Shostakovich had dedicated the work, of a man “who already has seen all eleven faces of death.“

“Outstanding“ (Fanfare)
In the solo parts the soprano Iano Tamar and the bass Taras Shtonda alternate with fine art and in subtle dialogue and then come together in the last movement for the crowning duet.