Shostakovich: Symphony No. 15 / Sonata No.2
On the surface, Shostakovich's last symphony is a strange bird. One wonders why the first movement keeps quoting theWilliam Telloverture. Why does the fourth movement incorporate Wagner's fate theme from theRing? And why the cello and violin solos?  The answers, frankly, don't matter. Amidst all these oddities, there is great music to be heard here. This reissue features the American premiere of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 15, from 1972--with Eugene Ormandy leading the Philadelphia Orchestra--paired with the composer's second piano sonata performed by Emil Gilels. Typically for Ormandy's Shostakovich, these are dramatic hallmark performances and the sonics--thanks to RCA's 24/96 remastering technology--are gorgeous. Notes from Ormandy explain part of this symphony's charm--Shostakovich imagined the first movement as a toy shop at night where the toys came to life (henceWilliam Tell)--but it really must be heard to be appreciated. Gilels's performance on the sonata, dating from 1965, is lean and contemplative, but the symphony steals the show. With its great sound, and at midprice, this disc is steal.--Jason Verlinde