This is a nice collection of some of Shostakovich’s more playful and creative pieces and it provides easy listening, particularly with the jazz pieces. The composer’s use of the solo trumpet is a creative touch in his piano concerto, moving away from the instrumentation of Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Schumann and others.
The tracks on this recording are:
1. Jazz Suite No. 1: I. Waltz
2. Jazz Suite No. 1: II. Polka
3. Jazz Suite No. 1: III. Foxtrot
4. VI. Waltz 2 from Jazz Suite No. 2
5. Tahiti Trot (Tea for Two) Op. 16
6. The Gadfly – Suite Op. 97a: V. Barrel-Organ Waltz
7. The Gadfly – Suite Op. 97a: VIII. Romance
8. Concerto for piano, trumpet and strings in C minor Op. 35:
I. Allegro moderato – Allegro vivace – Moderato
9. Concerto for piano, trumpet and strings in C minor Op. 35:
II. Lento
10. Concerto for piano, trumpet and strings in C minor Op. 35:
III. Moderato
11. Concerto for piano, trumpet and strings in C minor Op. 35:
IV. Allegro con brio – Presto – Allegretto poco moderato – Allegro con brio
12. Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Op. 102: I. Allegro
13. Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Op. 102: II. Andante
14. Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Op. 102: III. Allegro
15. The Unforgettable Year 1919 – Suite Op. 89
This is one terrific performance, especially of the Shostakovich Piano Concerto Number 2. There is wonderful variety in this music: Thoughtfulness, playfulness, serious aspects, lyrical parts, and more.
Here is a video of the Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 2 – 2nd Movement:
And now the 3rd movement:
Tags: Dmitri Shostakovich, Jazz Suite, Piano concerto, Tahiti Trot