Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975)
Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 54 (1939) [29:44]
Pyotr Ilyich TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893)
Symphony No.6 in B minor, Op. 74 Pathétique (1893) [45:35]
Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks/Mariss Jansons
rec. live 18, 21 March 2013, Herkulessaal, Munich (Shostakovich); 4, 7
June 2013 Philharmonie, Munich, Germany
BR KLASSIK 900123 [75:25]
Sixth symphonies are the theme here in a release comprising works written
forty-five years apart and in recordings captured at live concerts.
After his denunciation by the Soviet authorities, Shostakovich restored
his reputation with his Fifth Symphony. At first Shostakovich
was unsure how to follow its great success and concentrated on other works
such as film scores and the Suite No. 2 for Jazz Band. Written
in 1939 during the insecurities of an intense phase of Stalinist tyranny
the Sixth Symphony is quite a contrast to its predecessor. In
it Shostakovich promised he would “express moods of spring,
of happiness and youth.” It was Evgeny Mravinsky who introduced
it with the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra the same year in Leningrad.
Right from the opening bars of the substantial first movement Largo
Jansons with a spaciousness that creates a spine-chilling sense of desolation.
There’s a tremendous energy to the central Allegro as well
as a mood of good humour. This never quite feels genuine owing to an undercurrent
of tension. In the Finale I was struck by the explosive power
growing out of smaller ideas. A sense of risk-taking is present in the
writing as well as some highly memorable melodies. Especially noticeable
in this case are the well-sprung rhythms in this lively and engaging playing.
Rather than a predictably triumphant ending Shostakovich offers a touch
of ambivalence.
The Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks under Mariss Jansons
is in quite excellent form and can stand alongside my two established
recommendations. There is the gripping 1983 Amsterdam account
from the Concertgebouw under Bernard Haitink. Secondly the passionately
committed playing of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra under
Vasily Petrenko recorded in 2009 on Naxos.
Universally known as the Pathétique, Tchaikovsky’s
Sixth is his most deeply moving and profound work. Once again
the struggle against fate is central to a work which was to be Tchaikovsky’s
last. The première took place in October 1893 in Saint Petersburg
and just eight days later the composer was dead. Few musical farewells
to the world are more affecting.
In the opening movement I was struck by the marvellously crisp and engaging
playing. Jansons resists the temptation to wallow and there is a gloriously
temperamental power to the Allegro non troppo that feels as if
it might explode at any moment. From beginning to end the Allegro
con grazia is nimble and rhythmic with all the dreamlike elegance
of a Viennese waltz. The superbly played Scherzo has an infectious
and quasi-martial quality. When Jansons releases the full power of the
orchestra the effect is compellingly dramatic. It’s remarkable how
Tchaikovsky manages to close the symphony with a slow movement: a cry
of anguish probably unequalled in the history of music. Jansons and his
Bavarian players bring out a maelstrom of emotions that can leave the
listener shattered.
This is a thrilling performance of the Pathétique Symphony
that joins the very finest. Nevertheless I wouldn’t wish to replace
the opulently dramatic Gergiev and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra,
recorded in 2004 at the Musikverein, Vienna on Philips. Of the older recordings
I have great admiration for the compelling 1956 Vienna Konzerthaus account
in mono by the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra under Evgeny Mravinsky
on Deutsche Grammophon.
Credit is due to the engineers for providing such splendidly consistent
sound quality across the two locations. Applause has been left in but
there is virtually nothing in the way of extraneous sound. These highly
desirable performances are amongst the greatest committed to disc.
Michael Cookson
Masterwork Index: Shostakovich
symphony 6 ~~ Tchaikovsky
symphony 6
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