Shostakovich began his career with hopes of becoming a professional pianist, and throughout his life he maintained a close
association with this instrument. He enjoyed playing in private and in public, and recorded compositions of his own in the
1940s and 1950s. Some of his most ebullient (Piano Concerto No. 1, op. 35) and personal (Jewish Folk Poetry op.49,
Preludes and Fugues, op. 87) scores were written for the piano. Many of his piano recordings are unfamiliar to classical
music lovers because of their poor sound quality, but this compilation makes for enjoyable listening.
CD1: 1-11 From Jewish Poetry - Moscow 15 January 1955 -Nina Dorliak, Zara Dolukhanova, Alexei Maslennikov
12-14 Piano Concert No. 2 - Moscow 10 May 1957 - Moscow Radio Symphony Orch., Alexander Gaouk
15-18 Piano Concerto No. 1 - Moscow 27 November 1957 - Moscow Phil. Samuel Samoussoud, Josef Volovmk
19 Concertino for 2 pianos Monscow Conservatory 1957 - Maxim Shostakovich
CD2: 1-5 Piano Quintet Op. 57 - Moscow 10 May 1957 - Beethoven Quartet, Dmitry Shostakovich
6-9 Cello Sonata Op. 40 - live Moscow Conservatory 10 May 1957 - Mstislav Rostropovich [cello]
10-13 Preludes [2] Op. 34 arr for violin and piano by Dmitry Tryganov - Moscow Conservatory 1957 - Dmitry Tryganov
14-16 Preludes and Fugues Op. 87/5, 23, 3 - Moscow May 1957 - Dmitry Shostakovich [piano] |
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