Decca
2005
Shostakovich: Piano Music; Chamber Works
About This Album
Pianist and conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy has long been associated with the music of Russian heritage, and the music of Dmitry Shostakovich is certainly no exception. This five-disc box set, consisting primarily of previously released material, contains most of Shostakovich's important output within his solo keyboard works and inclusive chamber music. The first three discs feature the work of Ashkenazy exclusively. His readings of the Op. 87 Preludes and Fugues, while not always energetic, do have a profound sense of empathy and thoughtfulness, although they lack immediacy. His reasoning behind the choice of tempi in certain movements (his sluggish Prelude No. 24, for instance) also seems elusive. His rendition of the Second Piano Sonata is one of reservation, containing a mellowness that is neither readily inviting nor emotive. In contrast, Ashkenazy performs the sometimes dreamy, sometimes jovial Three Fantastic Dances with a welcome flair that is not necessarily typical of his usual style. He also brings the irony in the composer's Aphorisms to light, and performances from the somewhat less-familiar Five Preludes and Dances of the Dolls provide enjoyable fillers for the remainder of the disc.
Track List

Disc 1

Preludes & Fugues (24), For Piano, Op. 87
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24.

Disc 2

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Disc 3

Sonata For Piano No. 2 In B Minor, Op. 61
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Fantastic Dances (3), For Piano, Op. 5
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Preludes (5) For Piano (taken From Op. 2 For Inclusion In Collaborative Work Of 24 Preludes With Clements & Feldt)
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11.
Dances Of The Dolls (7), Suite For Piano (arr. From The Ballet Suites For Orchestra)
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Aphorisms (10), For Piano, Op. 13
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The Age Of Gold, Ballet, Op. 22
26.

Disc 4

Sonata For Piano No. 1 (October Symphony), Op. 12
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Preludes (24) For Piano, Op. 34
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Piano Trio No. 2 In E Minor, Op. 67
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34.

Disc 5

Sonata For Cello & Piano In D Minor, Op. 40
1.
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4.
Moderato, For Cello & Piano, Op. 40b (until 1968 Considered To Be Part Of Sonata Op 40)
5.
Pieces (2) For Double String Quartet, Op. 11
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7.
Quintet For Piano & Strings In G Minor, Op. 57
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