Shostakovich: Symphony No 10

19/01/2007
Bill Hoffmann
The Canberra Times (Australia)

The 2005 Australian Youth Orchestra, under the brilliant Russian conductor Anissimov, gave a Canberra concert in the Great Hall of Parliament House during May that year with this work the major item on the program. A week later it was repeated at the Sydney Opera House where this live recording was made. One of Shostakovich’s greatest symphonies, it was written in 1951 soon after the death of Stalin, with this event a significant influence on its expressive content.
In my review of that Canberra performance I commented on the powerful playing the conductor drew from his young instrumentalists in a realisation that was as exciting as it was memorable. This fine recording with its glittering sound has captured the commitment and excitement that I recall, and is a disc that can be highly recommended.