Shostakovich Op. 87 recommendations

[JLS]

I've been getting into Shostakovich, lately, and would like to try his 24 Preludes & Fugues. Does anyone have a recommendation on a conductor or a specific recording? I'm thinking about Tatiana Nikolayeva or perhaps Ashkenazy.

Has Gergiev ever recorded this piece? I'm a big fan of his...

 

[rojo]

Hi JLS,

Well, tbh I`m a little confused by your question. The 24 Preludes and Fugues are pieces for the piano, so there is no conducting going on. It would be a big surprise to me to find a recording of Gergiev playing them; although he plays the piano, I think he`s mostly a conductor. Unless there is another 24 preludes and fugues by Shostakovich that I am unaware of...

I`m not a Shostakovich expert; I am more familiar with his symphonies (love the 5th) etc. That being said, the Nikolayeva recording might be most interesting from the historical perspective- Shostakovich wrote the piece for her. The Ashkenazy has been favorably reviewed by many, and there is also the Keith Jarrett version which is liked by many as well.

If you like, let us know which one you pick, and what you think about it!

PS Hope you get your avatar working soon.

 

[JLS]

Hi JLS,

Well, tbh I`m a little confused by your question. The 24 Preludes and Fugues are pieces for the piano, so there is no conducting going on.

Ha! Clearly, I have no knowledge of 20th century music. Like most, I was raised on the Baroque through the Romantic. I recently wanted to start learning of more modern music, Shostakovich, and someone recommended I start with his 5th Symphony and then try his 24 Preludes & Fugues. I just assumed it was an orchestral piece.

That said, I've clicked around a little more and I think I'm gonna go with Nikolayeva. She seems to be the most popular amongst reviewers online.


P.S. Avatar still not working.

 

[giovannimusica]

I can vouch for Tatiana Nikolayevna's recording of Shostakovich's 24 preludes and fugues - in a word: AWESOME :up:

Cheers,

Giovanni :tiphat:

 

[rojo]

Have you heard the Ashkenazy and/or the Jarrett, giovanni?

 

[rojo]

Hey JLS,

The subject of classical music is vast; one can`t be expected to know everything. I still listen to works I haven`t heard yet all the time, when I can. (That sounded weird. :grin

So what did you think of Shostakovich`s 5th Symphony?

PS About the avatar- maybe try uploading the image just as an attachment in your avatar problem thread, just to see whether or not it`s the actual uploading that is the problem. If you can upload it that way, maybe Rune can put it in place as your avatar.

 

[JLS]

Hey JLS,

The subject of classical music is vast; one can`t be expected to know everything. I still listen to works I haven`t heard yet all the time, when I can. (That sounded weird. :grin

Definitely. I must admit, though, that I have always been a bit prejudiced against 20th century music in general. I've been trying to change that as of late...

So what did you think of Shostakovich`s 5th Symphony?

To be completely honest, I'm having trouble finding any kind of coherent linearity in the first movement, and the changes are unexpected(and sometimes baffling).

I don't know. Maybe some of the more modern stuff requires some formal music education to really understand(which I don't have).:smirk:

I do think the second movement is brilliant, though. It sounds like the sarcastic love-child of Mahler and Brahms.

PS About the avatar- maybe try uploading the image just as an attachment in your avatar problem thread, just to see whether or not it`s the actual uploading that is the problem. If you can upload it that way, maybe Rune can put it in place as your avatar.

Not a bad idea -- I'll give it a try.

 

[giovannimusica]

Hi Ms. Rojo,

Vladimir Ashkenazy's recording of Op.87 was my first purchase. Tatiana Nikolayevich's recording of the same came later. I had borrowed from a friend Keith Jarrett's version of said piece but I didn't really derive any new revelation from his interpretation although I am impressed with his musicianship and pianism. I guess if one has heard two titans of the *Russian School* doing Shostakovich then, personally, it seems more difficult to swallow another rendition of the aforementioned work.

On another note: The Tournemire recital programs have gone well - I am trying to get Marcel Dupre's *Le Chemin de La Croix* into *recital* form but am struggling mightily with it. Its one thing to get all the notes right, but wholly another to give the piece the suitable *colors* it needs.

Cheers,

Giovanni :tiphat:

 

[rojo]

Hi gio,

Good to get your thoughts on the Shostakovich, thanks.

Glad to hear things are going well. About the Dupre- have you tried green and purple? :grin: (sorry) Seriously, hope it goes well.

Hi JLS,

One shouldn`t need an education to appreciate this music, or any music; sometimes it takes a few listens to get into a work though. I often listen many times to a work; to get to know it, to familiarize myself with the melodies and harmonies etc., to hear things I missed on the previous listens (that happens a lot when the music is of a complex nature), and to simply continue to enjoy it....

 

[giovannimusica]

Hello Ms. Rojo,

Thou spakest: Have you tried green and purple? :grin: :up: :clap:

You slay me

My dear MIMF brother Thom Dressler has it much easier than I do - he approaches music from a *Teutonic* angle - ask me not how to explain that :grin: Moi? I'm a hybrid - Latin by birth and upbringing, American in outlook and willingness to incorporate many styles and traditions. I'm no francophile but I do relish the organbuilding vision and techniques of Cavaille-Coll. Before him, there wasn't a French symphonic organ tradition. His instruments were and are ground-breaking. Aaaccchhh, now my post is starting to sprawl again, sorry.

Cheers,

Giovanni :tiphat: