Shostakovich: Symphony No. 13 'Babi Yar'

Approfondimenti

Shostakovich's music, perhaps more than any other composer before or since, is inextricably tied with history. His works were frequently targeted by the Communist government. The Thirteenth Symphony was especially problematic not solely because of his own political leanings, but because Shostakovich used as its text the poetry of the equally controversial writer Yevgeny Yevtushenko. Specifically, his poem "Babi Yar," from which the symphony receives its subtitle, protests the treatment of Jews killed by the Nazis in Ukraine as well as the anti-Semitic sentiments of the Soviet government itself. Also of historical note is that the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, heard here, was also the first orchestra to perform the Thirteenth Symphony in Western Europe in 1971 -- nearly 10 years after its Moscow premiere. Bass-baritone Gidon Saks provides the cement for this strong performance. His voice is dark, robust, and almost sinister while maintaining remarkable clarity of diction. The orchestra, under the direction of Gerard Schwarz, provides a suitably dark and shadowy backdrop for Saks' oration. Balance is well-considered throughout, ensuring that whether instrumentalist or vocalist carries the most significant material, every note is clearly audible. Schwarz draws a clean, simple sound from his ensemble, ideally suited for Shostakovich's music.
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