SHOSTAKOVICH: Complete Songs, Volume Four

'Unknown Shostakovich'

Songs from Motion Pictures

Satires

Anti-Formalistic Raree Show

Victoria Evtodieva, soprano

Liudmila Shkirtil, mezzo-soprano

Mikhail Lukonin, baritone

Fyodor Kuznetsov, bass

Yuri Serov, piano

St. Petersburg Youth Chamber Choir

Yulia Khutoretskaya, artistic director & conductor

Delos International is proud to release the fourth volume of the complete edition of Shostakovich Songs: The Unknown Shostakovich, which includes songs from motion pictures, Satires to Words by Sasha Chorny and the soloist-with-chorus work Anti-Formalistic Raree Show. The global acclaim which Volumes One though Three have received has made the clamor for this extraordinary release overwhelming. As with the previous series offerings, Volume Four: The Unknown Shostakovich features impressive and impassioned performances by Victoria Evtodieva, Fyodor Kuznetsov, Liudmila Shkirtil and the piano and direction of Yuri Serov.

Volume Four is made up of pieces that are extremely varied. The remarkable and evocative song cycle Satires To Words By Sasha Chorny mixes ironic lyrics with folk themes, dances and musical theater. "Spring, Spring" allows the listener to explore the lyric beauty of Pushkin's lyrics just as the single-act satiric opera/cantata Anti-Formalistic Raree Show (Shostakovich's creative response to the repressive Resolutions passed by the Communist Party Central Committee in 1948) illustrates and comments satirically on the political and artistic worlds that Shostakovich had to balance.

The creations of Shostakovich cannot be viewed apart from the times in which he lived. This significant point continues to intrigue his listeners and promotes timely reflections on the current turbulent world climate. Critics and consumers alike have always been drawn to the genius and relevance of Shostakovich's music and that is why this release belongs in every serious classical collection .

Total Playing Time: 55:11