Royal Liverpool PO, Vasily Petrenko - Dmitry Shostakovich: Symphony No. 13 'Babi Yar' (2014)

×

Royal Liverpool PO, Vasily Petrenko - Dmitry Shostakovich: Symphony No. 13 'Babi Yar' (2014)

Close

If one function of art is to make us ponder difficult questions and thus risk causing offence, there could not be a more potent example than Shostakovich’s 13th Symphony. Setting Babi Yar, Yevtushenko’s blistering denunciation of Soviet antisemitism, in the 1960s was an act of political defiance for the composer. First heard in this country in Liverpool, it is highly appropriate that it forms the conclusion and climax of the RLPO’s riveting Shostakovich cycle. The power this performance accumulates at the climaxes of the second and third movement is lacerating; the men’s choruses may not sound totally Russian, but Alexander Vinogradov is a superb bass soloist, and Vasily Petrenko is as good at gloomy introspection as he is at brittle confrontation.

Review by Nicholas Kenyon, The Guardian

The cycle of Shostakovich symphonies from Britain's Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra under Russian conductor Vasily Petrenko has been widely praised, and this version of one of the composer's sharpest-edged works of protest will not disrupt the general trend. Here, as elsewhere, the reading is a sort of combination of British and Russian elements. The Huddersfield Choral Society probably does not have the sound Shostakovich imagined for this Mussorgskian work. But Petrenko catches the suppressed fury that often comes through only in Russian performances of Shostakovich. The work sets poems by Yevgeny Yevtushenko, a controversial enough move even during the cultural Thaw year of 1962. Each approaches the question of anti-Semitism in Russia through a different lens, and Petrenko is well acquainted with the moods of the work: the sharp satire, gathering anger, of the "Humor" movement (track 2), depicting the death of humor; the exquisite portrayal of Soviet drudgery in "At the Store" (track 3); the commemoration of the Nazi massacre at Babi Yar, Ukraine, aided by locals (track 1). Against the clear choral sound Petrenko sets a classic Russian bass, Alexander Vinogradov, with compelling results. A fine entry in Petrenko's series, worthy of standing beside his recording of the still grimmer Symphony No. 14, Op. 135.

Review by James Manheim, Allmusic.com

Vasily Petrenko’s generally sensational Shostakovich cycle concludes with this powerful and gripping performance of the Thirteenth Symphony. The interpretation is full of distinctive touches: the notably sharp and swift take on the first movement’s “pogrom” music, and perhaps the most brilliant, pointed, and textually specific version of “humor” yet recorded.

In general, Petrenko makes the most of the opportunities for drama and doesn’t let the music drown in a quagmire of gloom–the darkness is, after all, built into the score. The desolation of “In the Store” and the atmospheric dread of “Fears” are palpable, but not exaggerated. He’s assisted by choral singing which, while equally focused and attentive to the text, has a lighter sonority than we get from the best Russian and Scandinavian choirs. Bass soloist Alexander Vinogradov is also excellent, singing with a big, rich tone that never turns wooly or wobbly.

Naxos’ sonics are also excellent, with particularly well-judged balances between the choir and the orchestra. Vinogradov’s voice is well caught too, but not so close so as to sound as if he’s shouting into your ear. I do wish the ominously tolling bell had been more prominent, especially in loud passages, but having heard this piece in concert numerous times I can attest that this is how it usually sounds. Naxos’ booklet contains the transliterated text and English translation, not something to be counted on these days. A great ending to a great cycle. When the boxed set gets issued, as I assume it will, this will be a reference edition.

Review by David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com

×

Royal Liverpool PO, Vasily Petrenko - Dmitry Shostakovich: Symphony No. 13 'Babi Yar' (2014)

Close

×

Royal Liverpool PO, Vasily Petrenko - Dmitry Shostakovich: Symphony No. 13 'Babi Yar' (2014)

Close

×

Royal Liverpool PO, Vasily Petrenko - Dmitry Shostakovich: Symphony No. 13 'Babi Yar' (2014)

Close