Album

Transcriptions are nothing to be ashamed of, but because there are no indications on the CD's cover that three of the four works here are new arrangements for string orchestra, Hänssler seems oddly reluctant to advertise the fact. The unsuspecting purchaser may be puzzled by the existence of a String Symphony No. 3 by Shostakovich, but this is really just a version for string orchestra of the String Quartet No. 3, Op. 73, as arranged by Dmitry Sitkovetsky, who has also reworked the youthful octet piece Prelude and Scherzo, Op. 11, and rearranged the Stravinsky/Dushkin violin and piano transcription of the Russian Song from Mavra. Only Stravinsky's Concerto in D appears as written. What this means to purists is anybody's guess, but Sitkovetsky is within his rights to enlarge the repertoire for his ensemble, the superb New European Strings, and adapting works for smaller string groupings seems a practical solution that does little harm to the composer's original intentions. Sitkovetsky's rendering of the String Quartet No. 3 is not garishly overblown or heavy-handed, and the feeling of Shostakovich's music is preserved in the arrangement's light textures and clarity. Some may miss the grit and penetrating quality of a quartet, but for that, there are several fine recordings available, and Sitkovetsky's alternate version, as enjoyable as it is, does not replace the original. The reproduction is excellent.

© Blair Sanderson, All Music Guide

CD 1
Dmitri Shostakovich Composer 2 Pieces for Double String Quartet, Op.11 Work 9:14 NES Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Dmitry Sitkovetsky Conductor
1	1.Prelude: Adagio	5:18			$0.99
2	2.Scherzo: Allegro molto	3:56			$0.99
Igor Stravinsky Composer Concerto in D for String Orchestra ('Basel Concerto') Work 12:34 NES Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Dmitry Sitkovetsky Conductor
3	1.Vivace	6:30			$0.99
4	2.Arioso: Andantino	2:36			$0.99
5	3.Rondo: Allegro	3:28			$0.99
Dmitri Shostakovich Composer String Quartet No.3 in F, Op.73 Work 35:17 NES Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Dmitry Sitkovetsky Conductor
6	1.Allegretto	7:15			$1.49
7	2.Moderato con moto	5:52			$0.99
8	3.Allegro non troppo	4:13			$0.99
9	4.Adagio	5:41			$0.99
10	5.Moderato	12:16			$1.99
Samuel Dushkin Composer Chanson Russe, transcription from Stravinsky's Mavra for violin and piano Work NES Chamber Orchestra Orchestra, Dmitry Sitkovetsky Conductor
11	Chanson Russe, transcription from Stravinsky's Mavra for violin and piano	3:34			$0.99