Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 6 & 9

Album review

Shostakovich's Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 54, puts the communication between orchestra and conductor to the test immediately as it begins with a dynamically and emotionally challenging Largo, and the results here are compelling. Conductor Steven Lloyd-Gonzalez establishes a solid pace, nearer the slower end of the spectrum but not dragging, that allows the BBC National Orchestra of Wales room to breathe and to deliver a properly weighty reading. This dark and tragic movement is juxtaposed by the playful and good-spirited second and third movements, which, combined, are less than half the running time of the first. A highly energetic, fast-paced, controlled Allegro second and Presto third shine a light on the skill of the BBC NOW. After the Allied victory over Nazi Germany, word spread that Shostakovich was working on a large-scale symphony with a chorus and soloists. However, the composer set that work aside and went in a much different direction with the Symphony No. 9 in E flat major, Op. 70. The resulting Ninth is a smaller, Haydn-influenced symphony (Shostakovich was frequently playing piano duet versions of Haydn's symphonies with Dmitri Kabalevsky at the time). While initially well-received, the Ninth helped to land the composer in trouble once more with the authorities and contributed to his second denunciation, resulting in both of the symphonies heard here being banned for a time. While it may not be what the Soviets thought appropriate to celebrate Russia's victory, it is an enjoyable, lighthearted symphony that has a plethora of solos, most prominently for the bassoon (performed expertly here by Joshua Wilson). Lloyd-Gonzalez and the BBC NOW catch the fun aspects of the Ninth, offering quality readings of both works.
© Keith Finke /TiVo