Shostakovich 4

The Sunday Age

Sunday October 26, 2008

Michael Shmith

SHOSTAKOVICH 4

Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Bernard Haitink. CSO, Resound (Select), CD & DVD 4/5

Filling in admirably as the Chicago Symphony's principal conductor before the arrival of Riccardo Muti in two years, Bernard Haitink is revisiting some of his finest repertoire. This sterling live recording of Shostakovich's Symphony No.4 shows Haitink and the orchestra in glorious form. The problematic construction of this complex work seems quite natural in Haitink's hands and never loses intensity. A bonus DVD brings the history and drama of the work and its composer vividly to life. Marvellous.

Key track

The middle moderato movement, linking the two huge movements, is a model of transition and pace. -- Michael Shmith

© 2008 The Sunday Age

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