Leningrad

Shostakovich was genuinely trying to break new ground but had been sharply brought into line (viz. the edict issued against his opera "Lady MacBeth of Mtsensk"). His 5th Symphony seems to cast doubt on the Marxist purity of the Party in power. He conveys his rage in unexpectedly neo-Mahlerian style, but concludes with politically correct optimism. A quarter of a century later he produced "The Year 1917", a skilfully produced commission which sounds like a film score. Even today Mravinsky is still the most effective interpreter of this contradictory diptych, capable of rendering both its intrinsic power and resounding ambiguities.

An extended live set that concluded Yngwie's reign as one of the premier guitar heroes of the 80's. The set is comprised of many of his "hits" along with his two legendary guitar performances, "Black Star" and "Far Beyond The Sun." There is also a self-indulgent, clichй-infected guitar solo that must have excited every thirteen year old in the building. Malmsteen's playing on this set is decent, but time has not been good to this recording. It was recorded during the heyday of Hair Metal and the genre's influences can be heard throughout this session. The weak Pop songs that plagued Malmsteen's releases after Rising Force mar too much of this session to recommend it to anyone who is not exclusively infatuated with guitar pyrotechnics or 80's Metal. ~ Robert Taylor

A tribute to Alexander Glazunov who turned post-Tchaikovsky Russian musicians into true professionals. He was a composer emeritus and helped raise the profile of classical symphonies and ballet music before and after the mighty Group of Five…