Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4 (2009)

It was apparently the intention of conductor Mark Wigglesworth, faithfully and enthusiastically executed by the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, to make this the tamest Shostakovich Fourth Symphony ever recorded. The first movement's opening gesture, which usually sounds like a combination dental drill and factory whistle, is refined and hardly abrasive, and the Mahlerian march that follows, which often sounds like the acme of brutish belligerence, is more restrained than aggressive. The entire performance is not similarly ... Read More

It was apparently the intention of conductor Mark Wigglesworth, faithfully and enthusiastically executed by the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic, to make this the tamest Shostakovich Fourth Symphony ever recorded. The first movement's opening gesture, which usually sounds like a combination dental drill and factory whistle, is refined and hardly abrasive, and the Mahlerian march that follows, which often sounds like the acme of brutish belligerence, is more restrained than aggressive. The entire performance is not similarly reserved, though. The opening movement's bludgeoning climax still screams like a buzz saw, and the closing movement's battering climax still pounds like a sledge hammer. In Wigglesworth's account, however, these shattering moments are just moments, and do not permeate the entire hour-long symphony.Some listeners may be relieved that all the demons of hell are not unleashed here, as they are in Kondrashin's classic premiere recording. Others may be disappointed not to have to endure... Read Less