Weinberg Symphony 17

During the 21st century, Mieczysław Weinberg’s reputation has become such that he might be considered as the third great Soviet composer after Prokofiev and Shostakovich. This album will only enhance the regard in which he is held. The ear-opener here is the 55-minute Symphony No. 21, a six-movement work from 1991 subtitled “Kaddish” (the Jewish prayer for the dead). Weinberg’s parents and sister were murdered by the Nazis, and this powerful utterance remembers all the victims of the Warsaw Ghetto. Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, conducting her own City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Kremerata Baltica, makes every note count in this magnificent performance. Symphony No. 2, for strings alone, is a perfect foil—transparent, ethereal, and, again, rich with personality.

This is a unique collection of audio documents that captured the genius Soviet composers playing for posterity. The major bonus of the set is a 'home-made' recording of the violin sonata performed by the composer and David Oistrakh. The four-hand piano transcription of the Tenth Symphony recorded together with the outstanding composer Mieczysaw Weinberg will also spark an evident interest. Shostakovich recorded concertos, chamber ensembles and vocal cycles with some of the greatest twentieth-century musicians such as Daniil Shafran, Nina Dorliak, Zara Dolukhanova, Alexei Maslennikov, Maxim Shostakovich and the Beethoven Quartet.