Search - Shostakovich, Akimov, Rozhdestvensky :: Nose / Gamblers

Dmitri Shostakovich began to come of age as a composer during the heady period of artistic experimentation following the Revolution, before Stalinist cultural control policies nearly strangled his career. The Nose, his first full-fledged opera, is a remarkable document from that era of creative ferment when the composer joined forces with the likes of the director Meyerhold. Although a success at its 1930 premiere, the opera was essentially banned until the 1970s. This recording is a remastered version of a production from 1975 that was overseen by the composer himself, and, under the guidance of conductor Gennady Rozhdestvensky, taps into an extraordinary, palpable ensemble spirit that is essential to this version of Gogol's absurdist story about the nature of conformity and social control. Stylistically, The Nose involves a montage of traits and sources, displaying jagged Stravinskian rhythmic energy, sardonic neoclassical counterpoint, marches, waltzes, and expressionist, angst-fueled, Wozzeck-inspired orchestral commentary--all of which are rendered with fevered energy by the Moscow Chamber Theatre Orchestra. The vocal equivalent of character acting from this enormous cast, which brings to life the opera's 80-plus characters, is abundant. As the protagonist who awakens to find his nose missing, baritone Eduard Akimov portrays both boisterous vulgarity--listen to his erotic dream sequence--and existential terror. This performance makes a compelling case for the importance within 20th-century opera of this often overlooked work. Shostakovich also composed a second Gogol-based opera, the one-act The Gamblers, which was left unfinished. Rozhdestvensky prepared a performing edition of this Brecht-flavored satire, the 1978 premiere of which is included in this set, and the result introduces a delightfully rich, acid-tinged score that fans of the composer--or of music drama in general--will not want to miss. The only vexation here is the lack of librettos in the CD booklet. --Thomas May