Review: Dmitri Shostakovich: “Jazz Suites“
1st October 2005
sequences of short, light pieces in dance
rhythms to be performed by ensembles like the
[Soviet] State Jazz Orchestra...The SECOND JAZZ
SUITE begins and ends with sprightly marches.
The music is energetic and brilliant...The
heart of the SECOND JAZZ SUITE is a series of
three waltzes. The third [waltz]...moves
gracefully and with a seductive lilt, but the
haunting theme, in the minor, has a mournful
quality and is indelible to the memory - hear
it once and it's with you for good...The
OVERTURE ON RUSSIAN AND KIRGHIZ THEMES and
the FESTIVE OVERTURE are both state-sponsored
pieces written for specific occasions…the
pieces [are] lively and entertaining…
NOVOROSSIISK CHIMES is another occasional
piece, a setting of the song "Fire of Eternal
Glory"...It is beautifully done...Performances
throughout the program are highly charged…
It's fun to play and delightful to listen to
and should have a place in any Shostakovich
collection.
- Ung-aang Talay, Bangkok Post (Andante.com)
Dmitri Shostakovich
JAZZ SUITES NOS. 1 AND 2
Overture on Russian and Kirghiz Themes
Festive Overture
Novorossiisk Chimes
National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine/Kuchar
Brilliant Classics
SACD 7096
