Search - Dmitry Shostakovich, Valery Polyansky, Russian State Symphony Orchestra :: Shostakovich: Symphony 7

Excellent Recording of a Fine Performance

Timothy Dougal | Madison, Wi United States | 07/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Shostakovich 7th by Valery Polyansky is an excellent choice for anyone interested in this often problematic symphony. In the past few years I have tried to live with about eight different recordings of this work, from the historic to the modern, live and studio, and this is overall the best I've heard so far. The recording is resonant and clean (nobody is huffing, puffing, groaning, gasping, coughing or stomping on the podium here!), and the performance is very satisfying right to the end. At about 73 minutes the performance is on the brisk side compared to quite a few long-winded conductors, but never is rushed. In fact, the first movement even seems a little on the slow side to me, but no matter. The parts all work well together. The third movement avoids bathos while bringing its Mahlerian qualities to the fore. And the finale succeeds as few do. Great stuff!"