Symphonies 1 and 15, Shostakovich

WHEN Dmitri Shostakovich died in 1975 he left more than a fine repertoire of music in his manuscript case.

There were 15 symphonies, an opera, Lady Macbeth, piano concertos and much chamber and piano music.

Expert opinion these days, however, now recognises a further considerable achievement.

For he was the last composer whose qualities were acknowledged throughout the western world by musical modernists and traditionalists in almost equal measure.

Not bad for someone who started his profession being taught by his mother.

His symphonies, though, display a range unequalled in their times, ranging from the precocious patterns of the first to the anguish and bitterness of the 15th.

His language is that of Prokofiev, with influence from Russian folk songs, and that's something he shared with Mahler.

It's appropriate, then, that both his first and last symphonies should be featured on this well played and cleanly-recorded disc from Telarc.

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jesus Lopez-Cobos, brings out to perfection the inventiveness of Shostakovich's work.

It's also a tribute to the musicians that they appear to appreciate the depth of feeling contained in the finale. The very first recording of the 15th symphony had racy fast movements, mysterious slow ones and a strangeness and charm throughout.

Although these are somewhat understated in the Lopez-Cobos reading, he presents the work for all that in a straight-forward way.

The finale is handled deftly and the passionate climax is a joy.

Over the years, critics have wondered if there were ideological messages in his work.

I think it's far more rewarding for his compositions to be judged purely on musical grounds.

Telarc CD80572