Efrem Kurtz: Shostakovich: Symphony No.10/The Age of Gold-Ballet Suite

1. Symphony No. 10 in E Minor, Op. 93
Composed by Dmitry Shostakovich
with Arthur Ackroyd , Dennis Brain , Sidney Sutcliffe , Bernard Walton
Conducted by Efrem Kurtz

2. The Age of Gold, suite from the ballet, Op. 22a
Composed by Dmitry Shostakovich
with Arthur Ackroyd , Dennis Brain , Sidney Sutcliffe , Bernard Walton
Conducted by Efrem Kurtz

Efrem Kurtz: Shostakovich: Symphony No.10/The Age of Gold-Ballet Suite,Bernard Walton,Dmitry Shostakovich,Efrem Kurtz,Dennis Brain,Sidney Sutcliffe,Arthur Ackroyd,Testament,20th/21st Century Symphony,Classical,Orchestral,Suite for Orchestra,Symphonic

Average customer rating: One Of The Greatest Shostakovich 10ths

Efrem Kurtz: Shostakovich: Symphony No.10/The Age of Gold-Ballet Suite Manufacturer: Testament ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Shostakovich | Shostakovich, Dmitri | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B000003XJJ Release Date: 1996-10-22

Customer Reviews:

One Of The Greatest Shostakovich 10ths.......2005-05-08

It seems that half the CDs I decide to review have already been deleted. Unfortunately, this magnificent disc is one of them. Unlike the good old LP days, when albums sat for YEARS in the record bins waiting for some discriminating purchaser to come along, CDs seem to have a VERY short shelf life (especially Testament's). The moral: when in doubt, POUNCE!

If you come across this well-transferred, excellent mono release (recorded 1955), don't hesitate: this one is a real stunner. Russian conductor Efrem Kurtz was a fabulous talent who made relatively few recordings. Here, with the Philharmonia at its absolute zenith (hornist Dennis Brain, oboist Sidney Sutcliffe, clarinetist Bernard Walton, etc. - they're all here), Kurtz delivers one of the three TRULY great readings of the Shostakovich 10th on disc. To my ears, the other two are Mravinsky's (in drab sound) and, perhaps the finest of all, the astonishing Stokowski/Chicago live account (unfortunately, only available in a 12-disc set directly from the orchestra for $195). The playing here is white-hot and spot-on: there isn't an orchestra on the planet today that comes within hailing distance of what the Philharmonia pulls off here. The Age of Gold Ballet Suite is a most attractive bonus.

Highest recommendation.

Track Listings:

1. Enchanted Castles
2. Entre Dos Mundos
3. Erwin Schulhoff: Solo and Ensemble Works, Vol.2
4. Feasts of Our Lady
5. François Devienne: Bassoon Concertos
6. Geza Anda Plays Beethoven
7. Gregorian Chant Rediscovered [Explicit Lyrics]
8. Gregorian Chant Sampler 1
9. Hans Pfitzner: Symphony Op. 36a; Elegie und Reigen Op. 45; Fantasie Op. 56
10. Hidden Gems

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Delusions of Grandeur [CD]

HAYDN: Symphonies 6,7 &8 - Bavarian Radio - Ferdinad Leitner

Highway 17 [Live]

Corner Pocket

Fragile

Harvey Averne Dozen [Import]

Guess How Much I Love You [Box set]

Georg Philipp Telemann: Suiten

Hard Rain Don't Last

Gypsy Soul: New Flamenco

I & I Survived (Dub) [Enhanced]

Lil Beethoven [Limited Edition] [Import]

Greatest Hits [Extra tracks]

Wranitzky: Symphonies Opp. 31 & 52 [SACD]

All World: Greatest Hits