Shostakovich: Preludes and Fugues

On this CD:

1. Prelude & Fugue for piano No. 7 in A major, Op. 87/7 No.7 in A major
Composed by Dmitry Shostakovich
Performed by Michaela Harel

2. Prelude & Fugue for piano No. 5 in D major, Op. 87/5 No.5 in D major
Composed by Dmitry Shostakovich
Performed by Michaela Harel

3. Prelude & Fugue for piano No. 22 in G minor, Op. 87/22 No.22 in G minor
Composed by Dmitry Shostakovich
Performed by Michaela Harel

4. Prelude & Fugue for piano No. 3 in G major, Op. 87/3 No.3 in G major
Composed by Dmitry Shostakovich
Performed by Michaela Harel

5. Prelude & Fugue for piano No. 4 in E minor, Op. 87/4 No.4 in E minor
Composed by Dmitry Shostakovich
Performed by Michaela Harel

6. Prelude & Fugue for piano No. 20 in C minor, Op. 87/20 No.20 in C minor
Composed by Dmitry Shostakovich
Performed by Michaela Harel

7. Prelude & Fugue for piano No. 24 in D minor, Op. 87/24 No.24 in D minor
Composed by Dmitry Shostakovich
Performed by Michaela Harel

Shostakovich: Preludes and Fugues, Music, Dmitry Shostakovich, Michaela Harel, Classical, Keyboard, Prelude and Fugue for Keyboard
Shostakovich: 24 Preludes & Fugues op. 87 / Jarrett
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • It doesn't get any better than this.
  • IMPROVISED CLASSICAL MUSIC
  • A great combination...
  • My pick from Jarrett/Ashkenazy/Nikolayeva
  • far and away the best, and don't give me no lip!
Shostakovich: 24 Preludes & Fugues op. 87 / Jarrett
Keith Jarrett
Manufacturer: Ecm Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  1. Handel: Suites for Keyboard
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ASIN: B000006MTX
Release Date: 2000-01-25

Tracks:

  1. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No. 1 In C Major
  2. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No. 2 In A Minor
  3. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No. 3 In G Major
  4. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No. 4 In E Minor
  5. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No. 5 In D Major
  6. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No. 6 In B Minor
  7. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No. 7 In A Major
  8. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No. 8 In F Sharp Minor
  9. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No. 9 In E Major
  10. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No. 10 In C Sharp Minor
  11. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No. 11 In B Major
  12. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No. 12 In G Sharp Minor

Tracks:

  1. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No.13 In F Sharp Major
  2. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No.14 In E Flat Minor
  3. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No.15 In D Flat Major
  4. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No.16 In B Flat Minor
  5. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No.17 In A Flat Major
  6. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No.18 In F Minor
  7. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No.19 In E Flat Major
  8. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No.20 In C Minor
  9. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No.21 In B Flat Major
  10. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No.22 In G Minor
  11. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No.23 In F Major
  12. Preludes And Fugues Op. 87: Prelude And Fugue No.24 In D Minor

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars It doesn't get any better than this........2006-07-14

I am not a music "expert" so you may take this review with a grain of salt. I know what I like and this is amazing. Absolutely beautiful. In my humble opinion, it is warmer, more nuanced, and less rigid than the Nikolaieva or Ashkenazy versions. This would be on my "desert island" Top 5 list, no question about it.

5 out of 5 stars IMPROVISED CLASSICAL MUSIC.......2005-06-12

All the great classical composers were great improvisors. Because of the constraints of the academy, one wonders if most of todays players could even fake "Happy Birtrhday".

We are lucky to have someone like Keith Jarrett alive in our own time. Since he is capable of actually improvising profound music, he seems to bring a liveness and spontenaity to this Shostakovich masterpiece. The first recording I ever heard was by Ashkenazy and even then I felt that something was missing. Then I heard the Jarrett version and it came to life! I'm sure any criticism by classical purists is just jealousy...this is perhaps like hearing a great musician/composer, such as Liszt, playing Chopin...or perhaps like Chopin playing Bach!

There are so many college trained "button-pusher" pianists around today that it is refreshing to hear the emotional vividness and luminous technique displayed by Jarrett in this recording. I assumed that these pieces would be dark and posess and dated, pre WORLD WAR II quality, but like the Bach pieces that inspired them, they convey all sorts of emotions that are beautifully realized by Keith Jarrett.

He makes the other versions seem like journeyman efforts that were played by pianists who had to seek out a teacher to told them "How" they should be performed.

4 out of 5 stars A great combination..........2005-05-16

- Warm spring afternoon
- Shostokovich Preludes and Fugues
- Keith Jarrett

Jarrett's peculiar bright aspect works exceptionally well with the more lyrical, optimistic pieces, (most of them, I think). For pieces having that Shostakovich life-is-out-of-kilter feel the color contrast is striking, but it's odd and unsettling in the bottomless-despair ones (few are in this category). I think Shostakovich would be pleasantly surprised by the way these sound. On the other hand, Jarrett does miss some of the curled-up dimensions in these multidimesional gems. An interesting, refreshing, virtuoso reading, but by no means definitive as some corners are left undusted. Too much reverb in the recording space for my taste.

5 out of 5 stars My pick from Jarrett/Ashkenazy/Nikolayeva.......2005-01-16

I own recordings of this work by Jarrett, Ashkenazy and Nikolayeva (on Hyperion). Ultimately it is Jarrett's version that I find myself listening to most often. My main gripe with Nikolayeva is that she can be excessively slow. Ashkenazy -- though technically strong as one would expect -- has a tendency to hammer out some of the fugues in rigid staccato that suppresses the natural lyricism of the music. The flip side as argued by another reviewer is that Jarrett is sometimes "mushy", but that seems a little harsh to me. Unless you have a very particular opinion on how these pieces must sound (in which case you can listen to them yourself) this recording makes a fine choice.

5 out of 5 stars far and away the best, and don't give me no lip!.......2004-11-25

Keith Jarrett himself must have expected wildly polarized reviews on his take of Shostakovich's preludes and fugues, and it's no wonder, as he is more popularly known as a modern jazz master.

As I have had access to a public radio station music library, I decided to spend a weekend comparing and contrasting the different recording of this Opus 87, with score in-hand, by Jarrett, Nikolayevna, and Ashkenazy. I rate Jarrett first, second place going to Nikolayevna, and Ashkenazy bringing up a rather indifferent rear.

Jarrett's interpretation seems to be most often panned on grounds that he "doesn't understand the music", which is sheer hogwash. Add this to the fact that most critics fail to state what are the prerequisites for understanding this music, and I suggest it's a lot more than understanding Shostakovich's "pain"; a rather over-romantic view of a composer who could and did write extremely emotional music, but also music with humor and grace. There's a lot more to Shostakovich than just "pain". Jarrett has obviously studied the pieces well, and plays each prelude and fugue with flawless technique and even daring interpretation that is notably original, the most obvious case being the C-major fugue being taken at what sounds like a *very* slow pace. But having access to the score, he's taking it at the specified tempo: 92-to-the-quarter, interpreting the "alla breve" by playing very legato. So why do the other recordings have it so fast?

Jarrett's A-major fugue shines like the sun; his A flat-major fugue becomes a giddy, but slyly understated dance. (I should add here that in the A-flat prelude Ashkenazy makes a rather shocking note discrepancy in the main theme that either passed a producer's ear or was mis-read in the printed edition.) The more somber pieces are played with respect and deep concentration.

Add to this ECM's top-shelf engineering that provides a realistic, deep piano sound, and you've got a five-star set in your hands.

The pieces were written for Nikolayevna, but her autumn-years recording seems a bit one-dimensional to my ears at times, and the dynamics are a bit narrow as well, although she obviously has played these pieces for a very long time and seems to have absorbed them to the point where her interpretations seem more introverted, if that is your taste. The piano sound is broad, though it has a bit more hammer sound than Jarrett's.

For Ashkenazy, I have nothing exceptional to report. The Decca sound is dry, his rubato doesn't work for me and almost sounds as if he is unsure of himself in places, and overall it doesn't seem to add any air of authority or authenticity. Add to this Decca's assertion that since Askenazy is Russian, his recording is the final word on it, which is pretty trite.

Jarrett gives a modern, up-to-date performance that I think will stand the test of time, while the Askenazy will ultimately be re-packaged as a budget set.

Go with Jarrett; the man who dares to play classical music that is absolute, stripped bare of tuxedo snobbery. He gives his all for this one, and it shows.
Shostakovich: 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Beautifully done
  • in the abscence of Woodward's famous account this will do nicely.
  • A Twentieth Century Piano Masterwork
  • Delightful, completely satisfying
  • Such austerity! Such riddles!
Shostakovich: 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000050XA2
Release Date: 2001-02-20

Tracks:

  1. Moderato
  2. Moderato
  3. Allegro
  4. Fugue
  5. Moderato Non Troppo
  6. Allegro Molto
  7. Andante
  8. Adagio
  9. Allegretto
  10. Allegretto
  11. Allegretto
  12. Moderato
  13. Allegro Poco Moderato
  14. Allegretto
  15. Allegretto
  16. Andante
  17. Moderato Non Troppo
  18. Allegro
  19. Allegro
  20. Moderato
  21. Allegro
  22. Allegro
  23. Andante
  24. Allegro

Tracks:

  1. Moderato Con Moto
  2. Adagio
  3. Adagio
  4. Allegro Non Troppo
  5. Moderato Non Troppo
  6. Allegretto
  7. Allegro Molto
  8. Andante
  9. Allegretto
  10. Allegretto
  11. Moderato
  12. Moderato Con Moto
  13. Allegretto
  14. Moderato Con Moto
  15. Moderato
  16. Moderato
  17. Allegro Non Troppo
  18. Allegro Non Troppo
  19. Moderato Non Troppo
  20. Moderato
  21. Adagio
  22. Moderato Con Moto
  23. Andante
  24. Moderato

Amazon.com

Shostakovich performed at a Bach bicentennial festival at Leipzig in 1950. Under the spell of Bach, he quickly wrote this homage, which contains some of his most consistently inspired and inventive music. After half a century, it is now accepted as a timeless classic, a sincere homage to Bach, still individual and expressive. Shostakovich wrote the music for his student Tatiana Nikolayeva, who performed the world premiere. Her three recordings of the cycle are close to definitive, especially the set on Melodiya, which is economically priced but uneconomically spread over three CDs. Scherbakov, who has already made some impressive discs for Naxos, provides a very strong challenge. No recording of this cycle has captured the brooding, inward quality of some of this music as well as Nikolayeva's, but Scherbakov comes close. Where virtuosity is required, he actually surpasses the impressive Nikolayeva. Considering the fine sound quality and extremely reasonable price of this set, it's at least a clear second choice for the ultimate recording of the series, and probably a good first choice for an introduction to the music. The performances are even superior to the well-known versions by Keith Jarrett and Vladimir Ashkenazy. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Beautifully done.......2007-03-01

Nothing wrong with the playing here. I love Sherbakov's technique playing the fast Preludes with fluency. I love the last Fugue especially for its incredible weight. He almost screams out the theme, saying (implicitly) "THIS IS SHOSTAKOVICH'S LAST FUGUE."

I agree with the other reviewers here, in his attention to detail. What a great buy!

5 out of 5 stars in the abscence of Woodward's famous account this will do nicely........2006-10-24

Roger Woodward was the first pianist outside of the USSR to record the complete Preludes and Fugues of Shostakovich (RCA) and in some ways his fresh faced account from the 70's still stands up well (alas,STILL unavailable)

In the meantime,Scherbakov's thoughful and beautifully articulated set will do nicely.The introverted side to Shostakovich suits him particularly well:the opening prelude in C is marvellously sustained at quite a slow tempo.An oasis of calm.The Bb fugue feels like gentle wisps of colour but doesn't flow quite as naturally as Woodward.

For my tastes,the famous Dflat prelude and Fugue lacks the final sense of abandon (Woodward is marvellously unhinged here)and the part writing gets a bit muddled.Perhaps the resonant recording is partly to blame.

highlights:breathtakingly deft handling of the Aminor prelude.
innocent,exquisitely neat in the Amajor Prelude and Fugue,and for the ultimate raunchy swing Scherbakov is every bit as extrovert Woodward in the G#minor Fugue.

5 out of 5 stars A Twentieth Century Piano Masterwork.......2004-07-15

Dmitry Shostakovich (1906-1975) is best-known for his symphonies and for his difficult political life in the former Soviet Union. Between 1950-1951, while his work was under a performance ban, Shostakovich composed a work for solo piano, the "24 Preludes and Fugues" Op. 87, which is remarkable for its intimacy and devotion to the art of pure music. It is one of the great piano works of the twentieth century. The complete work is performed on this 2-CD collection by Konstantin Scherbakov, a young Russian pianist.

Shostakovich's work consists of a prelude and a following fugue in each major and minor key. It is modeled after Bach's two-volume "Well-Tempered Clavier" which consists of two volumes of preludes and fugues in each key. (Shostakovich was asked after completing this work whether he would compose another set, to parallel Bach's two sets. "Never!", he replied.) Chopin's 24 preludes is another model. I found Shostakovich's work closer in spirit to Chopin than to Bach.

Unlike Bach's collections, which proceed in order on the chromatic scale, (c major and minor, c-sharp major and minor,d major and minor, etc) Shostkovich's cycle follows the circle of fifths. Thus, the first prelude and fugue is in C major while the second is in the minor key with the same signature as C major -- A minor. The work then proceeds up by fifths -- to G major and its relative minor of E-minor througout the 24 major and minor keys.

In some instances, (such as nos. 3,6, and 10) the prelude and the fugue are written to contrast with each other. But most of the sets, I found, were complimentary in character with both the prelude and fugue expressing different aspects of the same emotional mood. Several of the fugues are based upon and develop the melodic material presented in the prelude. And some of the music does seem to be a deliberate recollection of Bach.

There is a great deal of variety within the set, with some pieces ironic, some humorous, some sad and quiet, and others virtuosic and showy. The final work in the set, no. 24, is appropriately, the most triumphal in the collection; the work marking the mid-point, no. 12, also reaches a climax. The prevailing tone of the collection, for me, is one of deep introspection. It is as if Shostakovich was not writing to please an audience or to adjust to the vagaries of the political censors but only for himself -- to capture in the quiet of his own study and heart what he wanted to say musically without pressure from anyone. Bach's volumes are the model for this type of attempt at "pure" or "abstract" music. Shostakovich's writing reflects his own character as a composer of the twentieth century. No listener will mistake Shostakovich's fugues for Bach's.

I thought Scherbakov's playing quiet, restrained, and thoughtful. It captures the character of this difficult work.

This work is tonal in character and more accessible than much contemporary music. Nevertheless, it will bear repeated listening. I approached the work by listening to it through, and then by listening separately to each half (i.e. dividing it into two sets of twelve). This CD is available at a budget price and will offer the adventurous listener the opportunity to explore a masterpiece of 20th century piano music.

5 out of 5 stars Delightful, completely satisfying.......2004-06-23

This disc is a revelation for me: I had no idea that Shostakovich wrote so wonderfully for solo piano. He wrote all of the work collected here early in his career (he wrote the impressive, joyous "Three Fantastic Dances" at the tender age of sixteen). Most of these pieces are lyrical and tonal and draw from a wide array of styles, from from Bach to Chopin to jazz. Yet they are original, clearly the work of a great musical mind. Generally affirmative, they are nonetheless personal and the work of--and for--a virtuoso. Fortunately, Scherbakov is well up to the demands, and the recording is, like many Naxos discs, excellent.

5 out of 5 stars Such austerity! Such riddles!.......2004-01-11

These are probably my favorite work by Shostakovich. Not being too big a fan of the more-celebrated symphonies, I believe that this work reveals much more of the man then most people think it does.

Shostakovich once said that his symphonies ultimately represented "a set of tombstones" to him. I mention this not, of course, to detract from those who praise those works. Shostakovich lived through the twentieth century as a Russian and a Soviet, so it's easy to see the root of all the angst and sadness he expressed through them. That, in short, is why they're still istened to even today, because of the level of emotion which was expressed with the aid of his musical genius. I can't help but view the symphonies as amazing in their own right.

The preludes and fugues, op. 87, couldn't be more different. They were written for solo piano, and are mostly subdued pieces where the symphonies are perfectly cacphonous. What I'd like to suggest, is that these pieces represent a kind of photo negative of the symphonies. Take a listen to a few of them. They sound so delicate - so full of innocence and youthful ardor! And yet so precise! One can scarcely believe they weren't written by a 20-year old prodigy. Where the symphonies drown you in a direct emotional assault, the preludes are like a light sprinkle of rain, often merely hinting at the emotions behind them. This of course is just what makes them such wonderful pieces to listen to, time and again. Each fugue behaves in much the same way that those of Bach did, with a well-defined subject and counter-subject, and yet so much arises out of this simple dynamic it is hard to put into words the effect they can have on a person.

I personally believe that Shostakovich was able to exorcise his demons through the symphonies. But what of his happiness? I believe if the man had experienced as much joy as sadness, we would be listening today to magnficent symphonies on a par with those of Beethoven. But unfortunately (or fortunately?) for us, he never felt exuberance on the same level he did melancholy. These preludes are a testament to the joy he must have wished he were capable of feeling. They hint at something that never was, but something that was always longed for. You can hear it in each piece: the misplaced ecstasy
Shostakovich: Piano Concertos; 3 Fantastic Dances; 5 Preludes & Fugues, Op. 87
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • One of the Greats
  • Shostakovich plays Shostakovich - SUPERB!!!
  • Shostakovich and the Mighty Fugue
  • The composer himself recorded beautifully....
  • Definitive Shostakovich Reissued
Shostakovich: Piano Concertos; 3 Fantastic Dances; 5 Preludes & Fugues, Op. 87

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000CG8ES
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Tracks:

  1. I: Allegro Moderato - Allegro Vivace - Moderato
  2. II: Lento
  3. III: Moderato
  4. IV: Allegro Con Brio - Presto - Allegretto Poco Moderato - Allegro Con Brio
  5. I: Allegro
  6. II: Andante
  7. III: Allegro
  8. I: Allegretto (C)
  9. II: Andantino (G Minor)
  10. III: Allegretto (C)
  11. No.1 In C (Moderato)
  12. No.4 in E Minor (Andante-Adagio)
  13. No.5 In D (Allegretto)
  14. No.23 In F (Adagio - Moderato Con Moto)
  15. No.24 In D Minor (Andante - Moderato)

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars One of the Greats.......2007-05-19

Dmitri (not Dmitry as shown in the listing) Shostakovich was one of the 20th century's greatest composers. In his early years, he was also a phenomenal pianist. Here we have the opportunity of hearing some of his finest efforts in both realms. I gave the disc four stars only because Shostakovich was past his prime as a pianist when the recording was made (he was suffering from a painful malady to his right hand), and the fact that this is a mono recording (but a fine one at that). Nevertheless, his performances of the two concerti are breathtaking (flubs and all). If you truly appreciate the importance of this man in the history of music, you will want this disc for your collection. Nowadays it is difficult to find any decent copies of his early efforts. A must have for those who love Russian music.

5 out of 5 stars Shostakovich plays Shostakovich - SUPERB!!!.......2007-03-17

It's always a joy to hear a composer's own interpretation of his music. In the case of the great Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich, getting to hear him play his own piano concertos as well as several Preludes and Fugues is nothing short of breathtaking.
While the recordings on this disc (dating from 1958) are in Mono, they sound fantastic and the remastering is stunning. In fact, it is such a clear recording, you would almost think it was stereo.
Shostakovich's piano playing is jaw-dropping throughout this disc especially on the two concertos. You can hear the seriousness and the contrasting humor in both of these works as well as serene romanticism.
The "Three Fantastic Dances" and the five "Preludes and Fugues" which follow show off Shostakovich's superb solo piano technique and are definitive authentic performances of these works. It's a shame that although Shostakovich performed all 24 Preludes and Fugues himself in concert, he never recorded all 24. It would've been awesome had he done so.
Definitely, this CD is a must for anyone's Shostakovich collection. It's a rare opportunity to hear Shostakovich as a performer and in excellent quality sound. This is truly an historic album and with the 100th anniversary of his birth still being celebrated even after the passing of 2006, I cannot think of a better way to celebrate than with this CD.

5 out of 5 stars Shostakovich and the Mighty Fugue.......2006-06-04

Much can be said about the concertos and dances, however I will only review the preludes/fugues. Having heard the complete preludes and fugues as played by Scherbakov I can hear a tremendous difference between the great composer's playing and a great virtuoso. The level of intensity and pathos in the Eminor and Dminor fugues is breathtaking. It is played well by the virtuoso, but when performed by the writer, whose playing is not at all perfect, the pieces are at another level. I compose pieces at the piano and know enough about performance by a composer and the interpreters to know that it can never be exactly similar. Shostakovich plays these pieces as he felt and wrote them, not to the letter of the score as perhaps he makes some mistakes but absolutely true to the subjective values of his work. I only wish we had the complete preludes and fugues on record as played by the master. The sound is less than perfect on this cd but this in no way detracts from the pleasure one gets upon listening to a composer play his compositions.

5 out of 5 stars The composer himself recorded beautifully...........2004-02-03

This CD is truly amazing. Can you imagine if Beethoven himself was recorded in a similar fashion? The second movement from the piano concerto is sublime. What is the mood of the piece? It's hard to tell. It's as enigmatic as the man himself. All I know is that I'm glad this very talented man was alive when our recording technology was more than adequate to capture all the feeling in his works. 5 stars.

5 out of 5 stars Definitive Shostakovich Reissued.......2003-11-03

It is delightful to have these definitive recordings of the two Shostakovich Piano Concertos available now at a mid-line price in EMI's "Great Recordings of the Century" series. A full-price version of these same recordings continues to be available in the "Composers in Person" series (which I unfortunately recently bought). Rarely in classical music do we get to hear well-recorded performances straight from the baton, or in this case the fingertips, of the composer. Well here we do, with Andre Cluytens conducting the Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Francaise with Shostakovich himself on piano (Ludovic Vaillant performs the trumpet on Concerto No. 1 as well). An added treat is Shostakovich performing some of his works for solo piano, "Three Fantastic Dances, Op. 5" and five of the "Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87." Despite the fact that these are late mono recordings (made in 1958), they sound nearly as good as vintage stereo performances from the same time period. It is a wonderful reissue, and even better at a cheaper price.
Shostakovich: 24 Preludes & Fugues, Op. 87
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Perspective from a choreographer
  • Outstanding
  • Pianism as Natural as Breathing
  • A most wonderful traversal of this masterwork
  • Too smooth by half
Shostakovich: 24 Preludes & Fugues, Op. 87

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Shostakovich: Piano Works
  2. Shostakovich: 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87
  3. Shostakovich: 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87
  4. Works for Solo Piano
  5. Shostakovich: 24 Preludes & Fugues op. 87 / Jarrett

ASIN: B00000J9FL
Release Date: 1999-06-15

Tracks:

  1. Prelude & Fugue No. 1 in C major
  2. Prelude & Fugue No. 1 in C major
  3. Prelude & Fugue No. 2 in A minor
  4. Prelude & Fugue No. 2 in A minor
  5. Prelude & Fugue No. 3 in G major
  6. Prelude & Fugue No. 3 in G major
  7. Prelude & Fugue No. 4 in E minor
  8. Prelude & Fugue No. 4 in E minor
  9. Prelude & Fugue No. 5 in D major
  10. Prelude & Fugue No. 5 in D major
  11. Prelude & Fugue No. 6 in B minor
  12. Prelude & Fugue No. 6 in B minor
  13. Prelude & Fugue No. 7 in A major
  14. Prelude & Fugue No. 7 in A major
  15. Prelude & Fugue No. 7 in A major
  16. Prelude & Fugue No. 8 in F sharp minor
  17. Prelude & Fugue No. 9 in E major
  18. Prelude & Fugue No. 9 in E major
  19. Prelude & Fugue No. 10 in C sharp minor
  20. Prelude & Fugue No. 10 in C sharp minor
  21. Prelude & Fugue No. 11 in B major
  22. Prelude & Fugue No. 11 in B major
  23. Prelude & Fugue No. 12 in G sharp minor
  24. Prelude & Fugue No. 12 in G sharp minor

Tracks:

  1. Prelude & Fugue No. 13 in F sharp major
  2. Prelude & Fugue No. 13 in F sharp major
  3. Prelude & Fugue No. 14 in E flat minor
  4. Prelude & Fugue No. 14 in E flat minor
  5. Prelude & Fugue No. 15 in D flat major
  6. Prelude & Fugue No. 15 in D flat major
  7. Prelude & Fugue No. 16 in B flat minor
  8. Prelude & Fugue No. 16 in B flat minor
  9. Prelude & Fugue No. 17 in A flat major
  10. Prelude & Fugue No. 17 in A flat major
  11. Prelude & Fugue No. 18 in F minor
  12. Prelude & Fugue No. 18 in F minor
  13. Prelude & Fugue No. 19 in E flat major
  14. Prelude & Fugue No. 19 in E flat major
  15. Prelude & Fugue No. 20 in C minor
  16. Prelude & Fugue No. 20 in C minor
  17. Prelude & Fugue No. 21 in B flat major
  18. Prelude & Fugue No. 21 in B flat major
  19. Prelude & Fugue No. 22 in G minor
  20. Prelude & Fugue No. 22 in G minor
  21. Prelude & Fugue No. 23 in F major
  22. Prelude & Fugue No. 23 in F major
  23. Prelude & Fugue No. 24 in D minor
  24. Prelude & Fugue No. 24 in D minor

Amazon.com

Under the spell of a Bach festival, Shostakovich composed one of his masterpieces: this monumental tribute to the master of Leipzig. You can hear baroque polyphony throughout this music, along with Shostakovich's typical range of emotions from elation to despair--with lots of the latter. Any pianist who records this music must face the stiff competition of Tatiana Nikolaeva. Shostakovich wrote the music specifically for her, and she plays with awesome command and mystery. Ashkenazy runs here a very close second, with nearly the same level of projection and extremely impressive fluency. Since no one version of this music can tell you everything it has to say, it's a good idea to get both. Nikolaeva's takes an extra CD but still costs less. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Perspective from a choreographer.......2005-04-24

I have the 24 Preludes and Fugues by Nikolayeva, Jarrett, and Ashkenazy. I have worked with this music before and am currently setting the Prelude and Fugue #12 on our dance company, BelCobraDance, with the prelude danced as a solo and the fugue danced by 3 or 4 dancers (at least!)

It always fascinates me how different pianists can have such a great variation in tempo for the same solo piano works. Perhaps this is especially true of romantic and neo-romantic works? The prelude certainly has the A-B-A structure, and the beautiful flow, typical of great romantic solo piano pieces.

Of the three, for this particular prelude, the Jarrett version is about 3 minutes, the Ashkenazy one about 4 minutes, and the Nikolayeva version close to 5 minutes. Like Goldilocks, I find the one in the middle (Ashkenazy's) just right. However, if I only had a three minute performance slot I could use Jarett's, though it would seem rushed for this beautiful and majestic passacaglia. Dancing the prelude #12 to Nikolayeva on the other hand would seem almost glacial, but I might try it sometime just for fun.

Interestingly enough the fugue of #12 varies relatively little in length between these 3 pianists, perhaps because it is a much more "modernist" piece, without the rubato of the prelude. They are wonderful together, however, and are a real voyage of discovery for this choreographer.

5 out of 5 stars Outstanding.......2004-08-15

This is a wonderful set of pieces that deserve a wider audience. I suspect people are put off by Shostakovich's reputation as a difficult modern composer. Supposedly inspired by Bach's keyboard work, these works certainly reveal kinship with Bach's Preludes and Fugues but with a distinct 20th century slant. Shostakovich's own tonal voice is clear throughout. There is a great deal of lovely, sometimes powerful, and sometimes even playful music. Hearing the whole set played at this high technical level and with a consistent approach to interpretation is an excellent listening experience
As you can see from prior reviews, there is one of those typical music fan disagreements about performance quality. I find Ashkenazy's playing to be excellent. It is precise and not showy, letting the music speak for itself with clear intonation and regular tempi. Ashkenazy can certainly play more "expressively" as shown by his performance of the Romantic piano literature. Here, Ashkenazy uses a somewhat restrained approach but assuming Shostakovich was really aiming to emulate Bach, a legitimate and powerful one.

5 out of 5 stars Pianism as Natural as Breathing.......2004-05-24

First, a caveat. I have never heard Tatiana Nikolaeva (the original dedicatee) play these pieces, nor Keith Jarrett or anyone else. As with practically any piece of classical music, there is value (aesthetic, if not always economic) in having more than one interpretation of a piece.

However, based on this recording alone, I have to say that Ashkenazy's interpretation feels absolutely right. The musical flow on these recordings feels entirely organic, with the various preludes and fugues (which Shostakovich wanted played seriatim, rather than piecemeal) leading the listener through an expert re-evaluation of the value of the "well tempered clavier" in the 20th century.

Never showy, forced or exaggerated, Ashkenazy plays this music as naturally as breathing. This music simply feels timeless.

5 out of 5 stars A most wonderful traversal of this masterwork.......2004-03-06

Since he turned his attention from piano playing to conducting, Ashkenazy has stayed away from the recording studio for some time, but in the last years he seems to be picking up his old career again. A good decision, as he never equalled his keyboard success with his baton. He finally set to recording the complete Shostakovich Preludes and Fugues, a huge undertaking, as he says himself in the liner notes: "You have to devote so much time and energy and concentration!" That he eventually took the effort is something that deserves only applauds, as this is an absolutely superior recording of this 20th century masterwork. Compared to Ashkenazy's earlier recordings (those of the Rachmaninov Preludes, for example) he hasn't lost anything of his old musical feeling and sensitivity. What is gone a little is the energy and risk-taking he used to expose. But then, this set of Preludes and Fugues doesn't ask for so much virtuosity as it does for musicality. Because of that, Ashkenazy's approach does full right to the work. Even more so than the famous Nikolayeva (that is, in her 1990 Hyperion recordings; I don't know her 1987 set), as the famous dedicatee of this work plays much too slowly and heavy for my taste.

If anything distincts Ashkenazy's recordings so much, it's the vitality and relaxedness he plays with. His approach is quite `clean': he doesn't impart much romanticism or overwrought feelings, and this is something I admire greatly: Ashkenazy makes everything sound very direct and intimate. And above all: everything is so `naturally good' (an ability he has always had). He focuses rather on the work's musical side than its emotionality, and does this very successfully. These preludes and fugues are mainly a great thematic and musical traversal, as another reviewer rightfully commented, after the example of Bach, and hearing Ashkenazy makes me wish he would record some Bach too (the WTC maybe?). Most of his preludes sing beautifully, while the voicing in the fugues is very clear and architectural. I've heard comments that he is just too clean at everything, or that he sounds bored; this is definitely not the case. I'd rather say that he often reaches some kind of a transcendence in which his own person doesn't count much anymore. Many fugues in particular have very meditative qualities and it's absolutely wonderful to hear how much Ashkenazy unifies his mind with the music at those places. I have to say that Richter does this even better in the few preludes and fugues that he recorded, but Ashkenazy is a very close second after all.

Most of the 48 works on these discs are simply immensely enjoyable to listen, just because of Ashkenazy's greatly clear and communicative approach. When comparing Ashkenazy and Nikolayeva, I noticed something interesting: the latter usually plays slower and less interesting, but even when Ashkenazy plays slower than Nikolayeva he sounds far more expressive. Additionally, he's often much more at ease. The truly wonderful B flat minor fugue is a good example: he takes more than seven minutes for this piece, but has you hanging to the speakers every single second. I've always thought he has some natural talent for playing anything beautifully and easily and that's surely the case here too. On the other hand: in the more lively pieces, like the A flat major, B major or G major fugues, he gives much fresher and more vital accounts than Nikolayeva who's just too heavy for the faster works. His light touch is generally wonderful, though on a few occasions I'd like some more dynamic differences: in the concluding D minor fugue the end is a bit too understated for me, for example. On the whole, Ashkenazy seems to fully get the clue of all of these pieces and performs them masterfully.

Overall, a great set that makes more obvious than ever how good this music really is. This is a set that just can't make me stop listening. Ashkenazy's lucidity and transcendence is really wonderful for almost every of these 48 pieces and sets the absolute standard for this work so far. Only Sviatoslav Richter surpassed it at times but unfortunately he didn't record all 24 Preludes and Fugues. This one is fully worth its place on my shelves aside Richter's Well-Tempered Clavier. I hope Shostakovich' Preludes and Fugues will get more attention among other pianists in the coming time, though they will have a very hard job in beating these interpretations.

3 out of 5 stars Too smooth by half.......2003-06-12

I, too, vote for Nikolaeva's version, and I base this on my first acquaintance with these magnificent pieces, thirty years ago, in Shostakovich's own recorded performances of several of them. There are to the composer's and to Nikolaeva's renditions a hard-edged quality that I miss in Ashkenazy's silken, almost oily performance. I purchased this, and also Jarrett's workmanlike but unremarkable version, and gave them both away. Scuttlebutt has it, incidentally, that the extant Nikolaeva recording from 1987 pales beside another record she cut about a quarter of a century earlier, said still to be moldering somewhere in Melodiya's vaults... cordially, Rand Careaga
Shostakovich: Preludes & Fugues Nos. 17-24
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Shostakovich: Preludes & Fugues Nos. 17-24

    Manufacturer: Moscow Studio
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    FuguesFugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
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    ASIN: B0007NFLQI
    Release Date: 2005-03-08

    Tracks:

    1. Prelude No.17 In A Flat Major
    2. Fugue No.17 In A Flat Major
    3. Prelude No.18 In F Minor
    4. Fugue No.18 In F Minor
    5. Prelude No.19 In E Flat Major
    6. Fugue No.19 In E Flat Major
    7. Prelude No.20 In C Minor
    8. Fugue No.20 In C Minor
    9. Prelude No.21 In B Flat Major
    10. Fugue No.21 In B Flat Major
    11. Prelude No.22 In G Minor
    12. Fugue No.22 In G Minor
    13. Prelude No.23 In F Major
    14. Fugue No.23 In F Major
    15. Prelude No.24 In D Minor
    16. Fugue No.24 In D Minor
    Bach, Shostakovich: Preludes & Fugues [Germany]
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Personal Readings
    Bach, Shostakovich: Preludes & Fugues [Germany]
    Olli Mustonen
    Manufacturer: RCA Red Seal
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
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    ASIN: B000023ZR4
    Release Date: 1999-02-01

    Tracks:

    1. Prelude No. 1 In C-C
    2. Fugue No. 1 In C-C
    3. Prelude No. 20 In C Minor
    4. Fugue No. 20 In C Minor
    5. Prelude No. 15 In D-Flat
    6. Fugue No. 15 In D- Flat
    7. Prelude No. 10 In C- Sharp Minor
    8. Fuge No. 10 In C-Sharp Minor
    9. Prelude No. 5 In D-D
    10. Fugue No. 5 In D-D-
    11. Prelude No. 6 In D Minor
    12. Fugue No. 6 In D Minor
    13. Prelude No. 7 In E-Flat
    14. Fugue No. 7 In E- Flat
    15. Prelude No. 14 In E-Flat
    16. Fugue No. 14 In E- Flat
    17. Prelude No. 9 En E-E-
    18. Fugue No. 9 In E-E
    19. Prelude No. 4 In E Minor
    20. Fugue No. 4 In E Minor
    21. Prelude No. 11 In F-F-
    22. Fugue No. 11 In F-F
    23. Prelude No. 12 In F Minor
    24. Fugue No. 12 In F Minor
    25. Prelude No. 13 In F-Sharp
    26. Fugue No. 13 In F- Sharp
    27. Prelude No. 8 In F- Sharp Minor
    28. Fugue No. 8 In F- Sharp Minor
    29. Prelude No. 3 In G-G
    30. Fugue No. 3 In G-G
    31. Prelude No. 22 In G Minor
    32. Fugue No. 22 In G Minor
    33. Prelude No. 17 In A-Flat
    34. Fugue No. 17 In A-Flat
    35. Prelude No. 18 In G- Sharp
    36. Fugue No. 18 In G- Sharp
    37. Prelude No. 19 In A-A-
    38. Fugue No. 19 In A-A
    39. Prelude No. 2 In A Minor
    40. Fugue No. 2 In A Minor
    41. Prelude No. 21 In B- Flat
    42. Fugue No. 21 In B- Flat
    43. Prelude No. 16 In B- Flat
    44. Fugue No. 16 In B- Flat
    45. Prelude No. 23 In B-H- Dur
    46. Fugue No. 23 In B-H
    47. Prelude No. 24 In B Minor
    48. Fugue No. 24 In B Minor

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Personal Readings .......2004-12-30

    Mustonen has one of the most distinctive piano sounds today, and he puts it to excellent use in these performances. The dynamic gradations and clarity brough to Bach's C Major prelude kick off two discs full of personality and intelligence. Voicings in the fugues are always done with utmost precision. Shostakovich's C# minor prelude is a great example of Mustonen's lucid articulation that brings a crystalline precision to the music. The gorgeous accompanying fugue is wonderfully introspective and poignant. The Shostakovich Db major prelude and fugue lacks the last bit of power that a pianist like Sviatoslav Richter brings to it, but the carefully observed dynamic gradations and impeccable rhythmic security of the fugue allow the listener to hear many details and interrelationships that get lost in more viscerally exciting performances. The spinning motion in the Bach D minor has hypnotic momentum and Mustonen's unique articulation of the ensuing fugue subject brings an imaginative reading that at first catches you off guard but on repeated listening makes more and more sense. Listening to other performances (such as Rosalyn Tureck's stern readings) I miss Mustonen's quirkiness. He is unafraid to bring humor, devastation, whispered tones and harsh attacks to the music when appropriate, and there are many moments when those sounds are 100% appropriate in both sets. The alternation of Bach and Shostakovich is fascinating in the order that Mustonen has chosen. Highly recommended to all fans of distinctive pianism.
    Shostakovich-Preludes & Fugues 11-16
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Shostakovich-Preludes & Fugues 11-16
      Shostakovich , and Tatiana Nikolaeva
      Manufacturer: Moscow Studio
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      FuguesFugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
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      4. Shostakovich: 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87

      ASIN: B0002A2VWS
      Release Date: 2004-07-06

      Tracks:

      1. Prelude No. 11 In B Major
      2. Fugue No. 11 In B Major
      3. Prelude No. 12 In G Sharp Minor
      4. Fugue No. 12 In G Sharp Minor
      5. Prelude No. 13 In F Sharp Major
      6. Fugue No. 13 In F Sharp Major
      7. Prelude No. 15 In D Flat Major
      8. Fugue No. 14 In E Flat Minor
      9. Prelude No. 15 In D Flat Major
      10. Fugue No. 15 In D Flat Major
      11. Prelude No. 16 In B Flat Minor
      12. Fugue No. 16 In B Flat Minor
      Shostakovich: 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87
      Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
      • 5 Stars for a dead-on review too
      • One of the best
      • bravo
      • Often slow and labored... and too expensive
      • Wonderful Interpretation
      Shostakovich: 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87

      Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      FuguesFugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
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      5. Shostakovich: 24 Preludes & Fugues, Op. 87

      ASIN: B000002ZO8
      Release Date: 1993-11-18

      Tracks:

      1. Prelude And Fugue No 1 In C Major: Prelude : Moderato - D. Shostakovich
      2. Prelude And Fugue No 1 In C Major: Fugue Moderato - D. Shostakovich
      3. Prelude And Fugue No 2 In A Minor: Prelude: Allegro - D. Shostakovich
      4. Prelude And Fugue No 2 In A Minor: Fugue: Allegro - D. Shostakovich
      5. Prelude And Fugue No 4 In E Minor: Prelude: Andante - D. Shostakovich
      6. Prelude And Fugue No 4 In E Minor: Fugue Adagio -- Piu mosso - D. Shostakovich
      7. Prelude And Fugue No 5 In D Major: Prelude: Allegretto - D. Shostakovich
      8. Prelude And Fugue No 5 In D Major: Fugue: Allegretto - D. Shostakovich
      9. Prelude And Fugue No 6 In B Minor: Prelude: Allegretto -- Moderato - D. Shostakovich
      10. Prelude And Fugue No 6 In B Minor: Fugue: Moderato - D. Shostakovich
      11. Prelude And Fugue No 7 In A Major: Prelude: Allegro poco moderato - D. Shostakovich
      12. Prelude And Fugue No 7 In A Major: Fugue: Allegretto - D. Shostakovich
      13. Prelude And Fugue No 8 In F Sharp Minor: Prelude: Allegretto - D. Shostakovich
      14. Prelude And Fugue No 8 In F Sharp Minor: Fugue: Andante - D. Shostakovich
      15. Prelude And Fugue No 9 In E Major: Prelude: Moderato non troppo - D. Shostakovich
      16. Prelude And Fugue No 9 In E Major: Fugue: Allegro - D. Shostakovich
      17. Prelude And Fugue No 10 In C Sharp Minor: Prelude: Allegro - D. Shostakovich
      18. Prelude And Fugue No 10 In C Sharp Minor: Fugue: Moderato - D. Shostakovich
      19. Prelude And Fugue No 11 In B Major: Prelude: Allegro - D. Shostakovich
      20. Prelude And Fugue No 11 In B Major: Fugue: Allegro - D. Shostakovich

      Tracks:

      1. Prelude And Fugue No 11 B Major: Prelude: Allegro (2,2; 80 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      2. Prelude And Fugue No 11 B Major: Fugue (3 Voices): Allegro (2,4; 138 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      3. Prelude And Fugue No 12 In G Sharp Minor: Prelude: Andante (3,4; 119 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      4. Prelude And Fugue No 12 In G Sharp Minor: Fugue(4 Voices): Allegro (5,4; 123 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      5. Prelude And Fugue No 13 In F Sharp Major: Prelude: Moderato con moto (6,8; 55 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      6. Prelude And Fugue No 13 In F Sharp Major: Fugue (5 Voices): Adagio (2,4; 164 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      7. Prelude And Fugue No 14 In E Flat Minor: Prelude: Adagio (7,4; 40 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      8. Prelude And Fugue No 14 In E Flat Minor: Fugue (3 Voices): Allegro non troppo (3,4; 224 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      9. Prelude And Fugue No 15 In D Flat Major: Prelude: Allegretto (3,4; 206 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      10. Prelude And Fugue No 15 In D Flat Major: Fugue (4 Voices): Allegro molto (3.4; 282 Bars, With Variable Time Signatures) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      11. Prelude And Fugue No 16 In B Flat Minor: Prelude: Andante (3,4; 102 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      12. Prelude And Fugue No 16 In B Flat Minor: Fugue (3 Voices): Adagio (4,4; 72 Bars, With Variable Time Signatures) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      13. Prelude And Fugue No 17 In A Flat Major: Prelude: Allegretto (2,2; 86 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      14. Prelude And Fugue No 17 In A Flat Major: Fugue (4 Voices): Allegretto (5,4; 80 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich

      Tracks:

      1. Prelude And Fugue No 18 In F Minor: Prelude: Moderato (3,4; 50 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      2. Prelude And Fugue No 18 In F Minor: Fugue (4 Voices): Moderato con moto (2,4; 210 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      3. Prelude And Fugue No 19 In E Flat Major: Prelude: Allegretto (3,4; 133 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      4. Prelude And Fugue No 19 In E Flat Major: Fugue (3 Voices): Moderato con moto (5,4; 72 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      5. Prelude And Fugue No 20 In C Minor: Prelude: Adagio (4,4; 59 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      6. Prelude And Fugue No 20 In C Minor: Fugue (4 Voices): Moderato (4,4; 124 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      7. Prelude And Fugue No 21 In B Flat Major: Prelude: Allegro (4,4; 56 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      8. Prelude And Fugue No 21 In B Flat Major: Fugue (3 Voices): Allegro non troppo (3,4; 218 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      9. Prelude And Fugue No 22 In G Minor: Prelude: Moderato non troppo (3,4; 84 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      10. Prelude And Fugue No 22 In G Minor: Fugue (4 Voices): Moderato (3,4; 128 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      11. Prelude And Fugue No 23 In F Major: Prelude: Adagio (4,4; 31 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      12. Prelude And Fugue No 23 In F Major: Fugue (3 Voices): Moderato con moto (2,2; 140 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      13. Prelude And Fugue No 24 In D Minor: Prelude: Andante (3,4; 82 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich
      14. Prelude And Fugue No 24 In D Minor: Fugue (4 Voices): Moderato (3,4; 297 Bars) - Dmitri Shostakovich

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars 5 Stars for a dead-on review too.......2005-07-10

      "A MUSIC FAN" below gets right to an important point. I purchased this set because I wanted to hear what this highly regarded (by other professionals) artist had to say about these pieces. Yes, they're slower than others, Knappertsbusch and Klemperer took slower tempos than most. Glenn Gould did unusual interpretations. Schnabel missed keys. So what--these people are not hacks or grammar school music teachers from Muncie, Indiana. I like knowing that she took slower tempos--I knew what to expect--but it's hardly grounds for condemning the interpretation. I totally agree with A MUSIC FAN about the attitude problem, it's part of what's killing classical music.

      5 out of 5 stars One of the best.......2005-05-28

      Tatiana is not so popular to American audience but she was a big name in Russia: A teacher, a pianist, and a composer in Moscow Conservatory. She died in 1994 in the US recital tour. Unluckily, there's not much her records. This set is one of her wellknowns and can be thought as the best (compare to others, like Schebakov or Ashkenaszy). This set was Gramophone winner, Prix Maurice Fleuret's top 100 best CDs all time. May say Tatiana lived and died with these preludes and fugues. She died while playing these in a performance in SanFrancisco, 1994. You also can listen to Tatiana's Goldberg Variations of Bach, that is a really nice one too. I strongly recommend this set. Other issue that you may try is Schebakov's.

      Someone prefers to Keith Jarrett in Shostakovich's Preludes and Fugues. Jarrett's sound always like in the same level and not logical. It makes me feel like listening to his part 1 and 2 in Koln-1975. Do you think a jazzman can reach to the peak of classical? No. They're in the different worlds. Like a Classical pianist cannot play "Functional" like T. Monk.

      4 out of 5 stars bravo.......2004-07-04

      Several distinguished artists have recorded the complete Op. 87--among them Nikolayeva (3 times), Jarrett, and Ashkenazy. Richter has recorded about half of them and his readings are available on various CDs. Each of these artists has something important to say. It is easy to snipe and find fault. It is harder to listen attentively and accept each interpretation on its own terms. These pianists are the best the 20th century has produced. Who are we to sit in judgment of them? How many of us can play the piano? How many of us have studied--really studied--the scores? My suggestion is that we stop trying to show how smart we are and how many recordings we have heard and instead learn humility in the face of the many forms of greatness.

      3 out of 5 stars Often slow and labored... and too expensive.......2004-03-06

      Tatiana Nikolayeva is considered the foremost interpreter of these works, but these are probably not her best recordings of the Preludes and Fugues. She made earlier recordings on the Melodiya label that are generally said to be technically better and equipped with more spirit than these 1990 accounts on Hyperion. Unfortunately, that earlier set has disappeared from the Amazon catalogue so this is currently the only source for Nikolayeva's playing of Shostakovich. As said, it's far from ideal. Many of these preludes and fugues sound labored and heavy, and above all slow. She takes fairly everything at much more restrained tempi than the composer indicated; sometimes with wonderful results but often the music suffers of it. The humor in the E flat major prelude gets totally lost, for example, and the tension in the E flat minor sounds fabricated instead of natural. There's no question that she can also be staggeringly beautiful, such as in the sunny A major fugue or the A flat major prelude, but in the end the set's unevenness is too large. Much of the spirit in Shostakovich' music has gone here, and many fugues are played so slowly that they made me quite impatient. Additionally, her dragging takes often result in a very pounding, labored and tiresome sound, like in the G major and D flat major fugues. The muddy studio sound of Hyperion doesn't help either. So, in spite of many fine moments, this set is too unbalanced to get a really good recommendation. I'd go for Ashkenazy, who plays much faster, more vivid and natural and without Nikolayeva's too affected touch. Or maybe Scherbakov or Nikolayeva's earlier set, though I don't know the two of those myself. And, finally: you can get both Ashkenazy and Scherbakov at a much lower price than this set alone.

      (To a few other reviewers: yes, it's possible not to like this set as much as you do)

      5 out of 5 stars Wonderful Interpretation.......2003-10-14

      These preludes and fugures by Shostakovich are not the easiest in the world for interpretation. Think a Slavic Bach. It is unfair to call these works "modern" and it's not just because they are with the confines of a Medieval form. But sometimes the listener will catch something that is reminiscent of 20th centyury Soviet music.

      These works are miniatures - a form totally at odds with the usual way we consider the composer. Tatiana Nikolayeva is simply brilliant in her interpretation - the clarity is startling. It may take a while but this is a recording that appreciates the more it is heard.
      Shostakovich - Preludes and Fugues for Piano Nos.17-24 - Tatiana Nikolaeva
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Shostakovich - Preludes and Fugues for Piano Nos.17-24 - Tatiana Nikolaeva

        Manufacturer: Melodiya
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD
        ASIN: B000B75R78

        Product Description

        D. SHOSTAKOVICH. Preludes and Fugues for Piano, Op. 87 Nos. 17 - 24: 1. No. 17 in A flat major 2. No. 18 in F minor 3. No. 19 in E flat major 4. No. 20 in C minor 5. No. 21 in B flat major 6. No. 22 in G minor 7. No. 23 in F major 8. No. 24 in D minor. Total time 61:04. Tatiana Nikolaeva. Recorded in 1987.
        Shostakovich: 24 Preludes and Fugues
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          Shostakovich: 24 Preludes and Fugues

          Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          FuguesFugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
          Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
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          GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
          All Works by ShostakovichAll Works by Shostakovich | Shostakovich, Dmitri | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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          ASIN: B000MM1EWO
          Release Date: 2007-03-13

          Tracks:

          1. Prelude (Moderato)
          2. Fugue (Moderato)
          3. Prelude (Allegro)
          4. Fugue (Allegretto)
          5. Prelude (Moderato Non Troppo)
          6. Fugue (Allegro Molto)
          7. Prelude (Andante)
          8. Fugue (Adagio)
          9. Prelude (Allegretto)
          10. Fugue (Allegretto)
          11. Prelude (Allegretto)
          12. Fugue (Moderato)
          13. Prelude (Allegro Poco Moderato)
          14. Fugue (Allegretto)
          15. Prelude
          16. Fugue (Andante)
          17. Prelude (Moderato Ma Non Troppo)
          18. Fugue (Allegro)
          19. Prelude
          20. Fugue (Moderato)
          21. Prelude (Allegro)
          22. Fugue (Allegro)
          23. Prelude (Andante)
          24. Fugue (Allegro)
          25. Prelude (Moderato Con Moto)
          26. Fugue (Adagio)

          Tracks:

          1. Prelude (Adagio)
          2. Fugue (Allegro Non Troppo)
          3. Prelude (Allegretto)
          4. Fugue (Allegro Molto)
          5. Prelude (Andante)
          6. Fugue (Adagio)
          7. Prelude (Allegretto)
          8. Fugue (Allegretto)
          9. Prelude (Moderato)
          10. Fugue (Moderato Con Moto)
          11. Prelude (Allegretto)
          12. Fugue (Moderato Con Moto)
          13. Prelude (Adagio)
          14. Fugue (Moderato)
          15. Prelude (Allegro)
          16. Fugue (Allegro Non Troppo)
          17. Prelude (Moderato Non Troppo)
          18. Fugue (Moderato)
          19. Prelude (Adagio)
          20. Fugue (Moderato Con Moto)
          21. Prelude (Andante)
          22. Fugue (Moderato/Accelerando Poco A Poco)

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