Solid Shostakovich
Jeffrey Lee | Asheville area, NC USA | 01/31/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Neeme Jarvi and the Scottish National Orchestra deliver a vital account of one of Shostakovich's most stimulating and complex works. In the opening movement, though a cloud of austerity generally maintains an enveloping presence, there are moments when Jarvi, through Shostakovich, seems to convey a sense of pain so acute that it threatens to push the musical envelope toward expressions of dread and helplessness. The second movement, intensely biting and demonic, is played with the speed of a whirling dervish. The third movement is one of the most fascinating displays of musical emotion I have ever heard. It seems as if the heroic side of the human spirit (horns) is struggling to assert itself against the forces of darkness and oppression. In the final movement, Jarvi spares no effort in driving home what some construe as a statement of the composer's vindication associated with the passing of dictator Joseph Stalin. Can this be a jolt of life-affirming exuberance ? In any event, this is surely a most eloquent and imposing work, interpreted and recorded here extremely well...The Ballet Suite No. 4 is an interesting piece that appears to contain elements of Prokofiev and Khachaturian. It is a welcome following act to the symphony."
As good as Karajan or Haitink
Josef Krebs | Seattle | 01/18/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Tremendous and very compelling. I don't think that Jarvi misjudges a thing anywhere. I have to agree about his masterly handling of the first movement, but all that fuss about the snare in #2 is just fuss. It is the snare drum against everyone else, and I think that's a valid interpretation. The last movement is particularly bitter and biting. Jarvi doesn't let us off to hook after the destruction of the Stalin theme, and keeps us in agony right through the "triumphant" ending.The SNO is really meaty on disk, the Chandos sound is thick and vivid. Altogether, a great performance."
A masterpiece and a bonus
Alex | New Jersey, USA | 11/18/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Tenth is justifiably thought by some to be a masterpiece and this crystal-clear recording brings it off well. A nice bonus is the included Ballet Suite."