As is frequently the case with
Shostakovich, the First Cello Concerto and Ninth Symphonies heard on this Artek album provide sharp contrast. On the one hand, there's the despondent, oppressive, even aggressive Cello Concerto. This differs greatly from the almost jovial, cheeky frivolity found in much of the Ninth Symphony. No fewer, however, are the technical and musical requirements needed in both works to ensure successful performances. The
Seattle Symphony, conducted by
Gerard Schwarz, and cellist
Lynn Harrell provide technically brilliant performances of both works, which bring contrast to the fore.
Schwarz draws these distinctions from his orchestra by emphasizing the high sounds of the violins, piccolos, and E flat clarinets, with the thundering, penetrating depth of the double basses and low brass. This extra weight placed on the outer voices helps illuminate the energy and emotional impact of
Shostakovich's writing.
Harrell's playing is also replete with contrast: angular and aggressive bowing in the first movement opening up against the almost glass-like stillness of the second movement.
Harrell's powerful tone rises easily above the robust orchestration, yielding a first-rate performance of this taxing concerto. The disc concludes with five short works of Anatol Lyadov, a highly successful Russian composer a generation earlier than
Shostakovich who has regrettably become largely overlooked.
Schwarz brings these picturesque miniatures to life with the same playfulness and dedication as found in the
Shostakovich.