classical_review_logo
spindisc


spindisc

spindisc


VISSARION SHEBALIN (1902-1963) Symphony No 2 in C sharp minor Op 11 (1929) 21:52 Symphony No 4 in B flat major 'The Heroes of Perekop' (1935 rev 1961) 25:00 Russian Overture Op 31 (1941) 11:37 Russian Cinematographic SO/Sergei Skripka OLYMPIA OCD597 rec Oct 1996 [58:38]

 

You may buy
this disc here


Shebalin, the Siberian composer, pupil of Miaskovsky and teacher of  Denisov and Gubaidulina among many others, wrote five symphonies. Olympia have all five in their catalogue.

The 1941 Russian Overture is stridently earnest and triumphant without being unduly garish. Borodin and Arensky are constant influences without in any way dimming Shebalin's individuality which is also characterised by a special way with the strings. The brass writing in the overture recalls that in Miaskovsky's early symphonies; that special blend of Scriabin-like mountain-scaling ecstasy and tragedy in victory. The bell-like peroration (10:49) is very effective and uplifting.

From 1929 comes the brief two movement second symphony from a Knussen-aged composer. The work is busy and goes off in many directions questing and probing. The piano adds to the orchestral colours. Everything is pretty serious and there is little in the of jocular work for any part of the orchetsra. The occasionally vinegary lyricism and constant striving remind me of the work of Alan Rawsthorne during the 1940s. Although Borodin and Mussorgsky are mentioned as influences in Per Skans typically excellent (English only) notes (6pp) this is not a straightforwardly tuneful piece. It is not in any sense a counterpart of the immediately charming Sinfonietta (1949) nor is it out of the same genie bottle as the two winning concertinos (1929-32). It ends impressively in a spidery filigree of sound. The second movement is forward pushing. Moment comes and go quickly. Clouds gather and dominate the skyline momentarily. They are broken apart by the wind and new clouds and shapes form. Sunsets and sunrises succeed each other each with new shapes and colours. Listen to the sweet carolling repose to be found at 6:00-7:40. This is succeeded by a ghostly world of etiolated charm glimpsed in an old mirror - all conju../graphics/red up by the strings.

Miaskovsky is able to invoke the same magic as also is Bax in his farewells to the world of mortals. The work ends in inexorably climbing celebration.

The fourth symphony was written 15 years after the event refer../graphics/red to in its subtitle. The battle of Perekop was a important morale miledstone in the Russian civil war. The defeat of a numerically overwhelming force of White Russians by the Reds won for the Soviet Union the whole of the Crimean peninsula. The first of the movements opens subdued and serious - almost an elegy for those Red soldiers fallen in the victory. The elegiac feel touches more bases with Miaskovsky than Hindemith (pace Per Skans' notes). Elegy gives way to increasing tension as if keyed up for battle and the occasional stormy brass onslaught may suggest the first skirmishes (8:10). However elegies are never far away and they are finely sustained by Skripka and his orchestra occasionally pre-echoing Khachaturyan in Spartacus (9:03). The heroism is wonderfully caught and held up to the sun from 11:10 to almost the end of the first movement which finally fades back into autumnal gold.

The second movement is clangs along with serious mien sounding a little like Shostakovich. Elegies and thin high strings weave to and fro but from this emerges a soldier's hymn on flutes and this develops a strong stride (3:10) spur../graphics/red by trumpet-calls, stentorian horns (4:03) and bellowing trombones. A dangerously banner waving march appears at 10:00 and the colours are suddnenly bright, chins are firmly set and heroic stances are struck but despite the caricaturing the music has a breathing life winningly projected. The march fades into a surging finale capturing the heights. That final swelling, spreading and receding climax is not fully convincing but glows satisfyingly.

This disc is recommended warmly. Olympia discs are sold at mid-price. They are well worth exploring. You are unlikely to feel cheated. However pushed into choosing between the concertinos disc and this one I would marginally favour the former. Then again you would miss the glories of the symphonies and the Russian Overture.

Reviewer

Robert Barnett

You should note that there is also an Olympia CD of Symphonies 1 and 3 (OCD577).

Reviewer

Robert Barnett

Return to Index