Shostakovich Cello Concerto No 2

[Petrushka]

I've been listening to, and adored, the music of Shostakovich for 40 years but have never bought a recording of the Cello Concerto No 2 until yesterday when I took delivery of the Schiff/BRSO/Maxim Shostakovich CD.

Received wisdom has it that it's not a patch on the Cello Concerto No 1 but I really liked it, maybe even preferred it. It's one of DSCH's most neglected works and I'm not sure that even Rostropovich recorded it. Is that so?

Any other fans out there?

[Barbirollians]

Rostropovich did record it ! Notably with Ozawa on DG . His performance is fabulous.

There was also that amazing section of him playing it in the film about him .

[Nick Armstrong]

Rostropovich did record it ! Notably with Ozawa on DG . His performance is fabulous.

Yes! I bought the cassette in France yonks ago (coupled with Glazounov "Chant du Ménéstral").... I've always preferred it to No 1 tbh, although I'm also much more familiar with it.

[Roehre]

Yes! I bought the cassette in France yonks ago (coupled with Glazounov "Chant du Ménéstral").... I've always preferred it to No 1 tbh, although I'm also much more familiar with it.

As I do. Btw, I was disappointed by the short playing time of that cassette.
Later I got the LP (same short playing time ). AFAIK this was the first western recording of the piece, less than 10 years after its premiere.

[Petrushka]

Rostropovich did record it ! Notably with Ozawa on DG . His performance is fabulous.

I did a trawl of Amazon and couldn't find a Slava recording at all. Thanks for the info - I'll try and search it out. Presumably on CD?

[Nick Armstrong]

I did a trawl of Amazon and couldn't find a Slava recording at all. Thanks for the info - I'll try and search it out. Presumably on CD?

Seems to be out of print but a used one might do you? They've added some Tchaikovsky, meeting the 'short measure' complaint Roehre makes (with which I remember concurring when I purchased it!).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shostakovich.../dp/B00000E4QE

[Bryn]

There are both audio and film recordings of Rostropovich playing the second concerto with Svetlanov conducting. The film (which has appeared on DVD) dates from 1966. There is also a BBC Legends recording with Colin Davis Conducting.

[AmpH]

Petrushka - there is a good listing of recordings of this concerto, including it would appear two with Rostroprovich - a live performance on BBC L with BBCSO / Davis and another under Svetlanov in a large EMI box.

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/w/81073/1

[LeMartinPecheur]

Petrushka: I got to know this work via a friend's copy of the Rostropovich/Ozawa recording already mentioned but now own a recording of the world premiere - DSCH present - with USSRSO/Svetlanov 25/9/67 in this box of USSR live recordings http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rostropovich...9709405&sr=1-7 Unfortunately it's now hideously expensive even s/h but definitely one to snap up if you get the chance. I got mine as a prize in a Gramophone competition (anyone here remember the Gramophone? )

I think possibly at least some of these recordings were reissued by Regis or another big bargain label but have no details to hand.

[Petrushka]

Petrushka - there is a good listing of recordings of this concerto, including it would appear two with Rostroprovich - a live performance on BBC L with BBCSO / Davis and another under Svetlanov in a large EMI box.
http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/w/81073/1

A pity that the Svetlanov isn't available seperately otherwise I'd have gone for that.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0000261V5/ref=s9_simh_gw_p15_d0_g15_i5?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=08F8WC74YQ7K2NWXAGZE&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128533&pf_rd_i=468294

Would have gone for this but not at these prices.

[Bryn]

Petrushka: I got to know this work via a friend's copy of the Rostropovich/Ozawa recording already mentioned but now own a recording of the world premiere - DSCH present - with USSRSO/Svetlanov 25/9/67

You are a year out there. The premier, which was filmed and is available to watch on YouTube, was on 25 September 1966, at Shostakovich's 60th Birthday concert.

[LeMartinPecheur]

You are a year out there. The premier, which was filmed and is available to watch on YouTube, was on 25 September 1966, at Shostakovich's 60th Birthday concert.

Bryn: I knew that of course And if you please, it's not I who am out but the set's perishin' booklet...

...to which I shall now make a discreet pencil correction, easily eraseable so as not to damage my set's resale value