Dmitry Sitkovetsky Conducts Shostakovich & Stravinsky
conducted by Dmitry Sitkovetsky, 1954-; performed by New European Strings (Hänssler Classic), 1 hour 1 mins
Details
- Field of Interest
- Classical Music
- Conductor
- Dmitry Sitkovetsky, 1954-
- Content Type
- Music recording
- Duration
- 1 hour 1 mins
- Recording Engineer
- Heinz Wildhagen, fl. 1955
- Ensemble
- New European Strings
- Format
- Audio
- Sub Genre
- Octet, Piece, String Quartet, Duo
- Label
- Hänssler Classic
- Date Recorded
- 1996-11-01
- Review
- Transcriptions are nothing to be ashamed of, but because there are no indications on the CD's cover that three of the four works here are new arrangements for string orchestra, Hänssler seems oddly reluctant to advertise the fact. The unsuspecting purchaser may be puzzled by the existence of a String Symphony No. 3 by Shostakovich, but this is really just a version for string orchestra of the String Quartet No. 3, Op. 73, as arranged by Dmitry Sitkovetsky, who has also reworked the youthful octet piece Prelude and Scherzo, Op. 11, and rearranged the Stravinsky/Dushkin violin and piano transcription of the Russian Song from Mavra. Only Stravinsky's Concerto in D appears as written. What this means to purists is anybody's guess, but Sitkovetsky is within his rights to enlarge the repertoire for his ensemble, the superb New European Strings, and adapting works for smaller string groupings seems a practical solution that does little harm to the composer's original intentions. Sitkovetsky's rendering of the String Quartet No. 3 is not garishly overblown or heavy-handed, and the feeling of Shostakovich's music is preserved in the arrangement's light textures and clarity. Some may miss the grit and penetrating quality of a quartet, but for that, there are several fine recordings available, and Sitkovetsky's alternate version, as enjoyable as it is, does not replace the original. The reproduction is excellent. ~ Blair Sanderson, All Music Guide
- Subject
- Classical Music, Music & Performing Arts, 20th Century