Search - Shostakovich, Kurtz, Philharmonia Orchestra :: Symphony 10 / Age of Gold Suite

One Of The Greatest Shostakovich 10ths

Jeffrey Lipscomb | Sacramento, CA United States | 05/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It seems that half the CDs I decide to review have already been deleted. Unfortunately, this magnificent disc is one of them. Unlike the good old LP days, when albums sat for YEARS in the record bins waiting for some discriminating purchaser to come along, CDs seem to have a VERY short shelf life (especially Testament's). The moral: when in doubt, POUNCE!



If you come across this well-transferred, excellent mono release (recorded 1955), don't hesitate: this one is a real stunner. Russian conductor Efrem Kurtz was a fabulous talent who made relatively few recordings. Here, with the Philharmonia at its absolute zenith (hornist Dennis Brain, oboist Sidney Sutcliffe, clarinetist Bernard Walton, etc. - they're all here), Kurtz delivers one of the three TRULY great readings of the Shostakovich 10th on disc. To my ears, the other two are Mravinsky's (in drab sound) and, perhaps the finest of all, the astonishing Stokowski/Chicago live account (unfortunately, only available in a 12-disc set directly from the orchestra for $195). The playing here is white-hot and spot-on: there isn't an orchestra on the planet today that comes within hailing distance of what the Philharmonia pulls off here. The Age of Gold Ballet Suite is a most attractive bonus.



Highest recommendation."