Shostakovich, Dmitri (1906-1975) - Shostakovich Symphony No.5, Weill Symphony No.2 : Lahav Shani / Rotterdam Philharmonic - Import CD

Credits:

Shostakovich, Dmitri (1906-1975)

Description:

Two works written in the turbulent 1930s by the Rotterdam Philharmonic's brilliant conductor Rahaf ShaniThe brilliant conductor Rahaf Shani was appointed Chief Conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic in 2018, a position that has been extended until 2026. For this second album of recordings for Warner, two symphonies from the turbulent 1930s have been selected: "Kurt Weill: Symphony No. 2," premiered by Bruno Walter in Amsterdam in 1933; and "Shostakovich: Symphony No. 2," premiered by Rachmaninov in 1934. 《Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5》, with its sincerity and enigmatic irony, was performed to rave reviews at Shani's first concert as music director in Rotterdam in 2018. 'When I think of Kurt Weill, the first thing that comes to mind is theater music and song. Of course, the symphony has elements of the same style, but it is serious music, absolute music, not 'about' music. It is entirely symphonic. Symphonic composition and its development, truly astonishing music! You can hear some Mahler and Shostakovich-like sounds, but the style and harmonies are very original and unique. It is tonal music, very melodic, very theatrical, and not comparable to any other music. This symphony was the last piece Weill wrote in Europe, and it was also his last symphony. After that he wrote only music for film and theater.It is a great loss to the world of classical music that he did not write in this way," said Rahaf Shani. Weill composed his symphony in France in 1933 to escape Hitler's new regime in Germany. It was premiered in Amsterdam by Bruno Walter, who conducted performances in Rotterdam, The Hague, Vienna, and New York, and is associated with Ballet Chante's "Seven Deadly Sins," which premiered in Paris in June 1933. he composed this symphony in 1934, and in September 1935 he and his wife, actress In September 1935, he emigrated to the United States with his wife, the actress Lotte Rainha. Although Shostakovich's opera "Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk County" was publicly condemned by the authorities in early 1936, the premiere of "Symphony No. 5" was a great success and Shostakovich received official praise from the Union of Composers, but the work has glimpses of both darkness and irony, and the mystery The work has a palpable sense of mystery. Even the clearly triumphant finale has been interpreted as an ironic statement. It is also said that the unsettled social climate in the Soviet Union at the time inspired him to write this new symphony.As is typical of recent performances of these pieces, there is a stylish, contemporary feel to the music, but Rahaf Shani has added a crispness to the way the strings attacca and the interplay and contrast with the winds, and together with the propulsive and highly functional Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, a new interpretation of the music is being played! Warner Music Japan, Inc. Warner Music Japan