Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 126

This page lists all recordings of Cello Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 126, by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-75) on CD. Generally, more recent CDs are listed first, but with priority given to items that are in stock.

Recommendations

BBC Music Magazine

Orchestral Choice
May 2007

Penguin Guide

4 star

All recordings

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Shostakovich - Cello Concertos Nos. 1 & 2

Shostakovich:

Cello Concerto No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 107

Cello Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 126

Daniel Müller-Schott (cello)

Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Yakov Kreizberg

Even though both the First Cello Concerto Op. 107 of 1959 and the Second Cello Concerto Op.126 of 1966 were written after Stalin's death in 1953, the threat of Soviet dictatorship and censorship continues to be palpable. With the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra under Yakov Kreizberg, Daniel Müller-Schott offers an exemplary interpretation of both concertos that also does justice to the peculiarities and details of their instrumentation, notably in the second movement of the Second Concerto, in which Shostakovich uses a popular song from the time of the Russian Revolution to produce a grotesque dance with dissonant fanfares. No less typical of Shostakovich are the reminiscences of composers such as Mussorgsky and the set of variations in the final movement of the Op. 126 Concerto, written at a time when the composer was already marked out by death, a piece described by Daniel Müller-Schott as "perhaps the most emotionally multilayered of all cello concertos", the abrupt ending of which is as disturbing as it is profoundly moving.

“As Daniel Müller-Schott intimates in his own perceptive booklet note for this release, the two Shostakovich cello concertos, although separated by just seven years, inhabit very different worlds. Müller-Schott reflects this in his cello-playing: where No 1 still has an element of post-Stalinist optimism about it, to No 2 he brings home the desperation of the composer's situation, beset with heart and neurological illness. The soloist is set well forward in the aural picture, which emphasises Müller-Schott's eloquent tone and expression, but Yakov Kreizberg and his orchestra play their own part, with particularly vivid percussion in the Second Concerto. A gripping disc.” Matthew Rye, Daily Telegraph, 28th June 2008

“Müller-Schott manages the singular trick of keeping his cello tone rich and gorgeous without lessening the music’s ability to stab the heart. Listen to his lonely eloquence as he climbs up the first concerto’s second movement, and the eerie shiverings at its peak, when cello harmonics join hands with the celesta in an unearthly duet. The second concerto receives an equally febrile performance.” The Times, 27th June 2008 ****

Orfeo - C659081A

(CD)

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Special: £10.99 (£9.35 ex. VAT)

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Shostakovich - Cello Concertos Nos. 1 & 2

Shostakovich:

Cello Concerto No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 107

Cello Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 126

Dimitri Maslennikov (cello)

NDR Sinfonieorchester, Christoph Eschenbach

Russian cellist, Dimitri Maslennikov is an exceptional and a gifted virtuoso who can boast a whole list of concert performances with renowned orchestras and conductors at the end of this three-year scholarship awarded by the French government. Christoph Eschenbach has taken the young Russian under his wing and Phoenix Edition is delighted to present this recording of Shostakovich’s cello concertos. Christoph Eschenbach and the NDR Symphony Orchestra accompany Maslennikov on his journey through on of the most difficult masterpieces of cello literature, a reverential tribute to the Russian composer.

“I've always been deeply interested, indeed passionate, about helping and supporting young talent. Marc-André Dalbavie, the prince of French composers, introduced Dimitri to me. I listened to him and found all the elements for a career in music.” Christoph Eschenbach on Dimitri Maslennikov

Phoenix Edition - 128PHOENIX

(CD)

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listen:
Cello Concerto No.1, op.107

Shostakovich - Cello Concertos

Shostakovich:

Cello Concerto No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 107

Cello Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 126

Heinrich Schiff (cello)

Symphonie-Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Maxim Shostakovich

"In the First Concerto, Heinrich Schiff's excellent version with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra under Shostakovich can hold its own against most opposition ... I like the recording very much: it is totally natural yet very clear ... Recommended with enthusiasm." Gramophone

Philips - Originals - 4757575

(CD)

£8.49 (£7.23 ex. VAT)

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Shostakovich - Cello Concertos Nos. 1 & 2

Shostakovich:

Cello Concerto No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 107

Cello Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 126

Mischa Maisky (cello)

London Symphony Orchestra, Michael Tilson Thomas

Building a Library

Runner-Up - September 2002

DG - 4458212

(CD)

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Shostakovich:

Cello Concerto No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 107

Cello Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 126

Maria Kliegel (cello)

Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Antoni Wit

"Kliegel manages to convey a feeling of spontaneous improvisation and her command of the instrument is impressive. Naxos's recording is nicely ambient." - Gramophone - Oct.1996

Naxos - 8550813

(CD)

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Shostakovich: Complete Works For Cello

Shostakovich:

Cello Concerto No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 107

Cello Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 126

Cello Sonata in D minor, Op. 40

Viola Sonata, Op. 147

arr for cello by Daniil Shafran

Moderato in A minor for cello & piano

Adagio (Elegy)

Raphael Wallfisch (cello), John York (piano)

BBC Symphony Orchestra, Martyn Brabbins

Nimbus - NI5764/5

(CD - 2 discs)

£18.49 (£15.74 ex. VAT)

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Shostakovich - Cello Concerto No. 2

Britten:	Suite No. 3 for cello solo, Op. 87
Shostakovich:	Cello Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 126

Pieter Wispelwey (cello)

Sinfonietta Cracovia, Jurjen Hempel

This CD presents music composed by Benjamin Britten and Dmitri Shostakovich, two striking personalities from recent 20th-century musical history, who were also united by an intimate friendship. They both also shared reciprocal friendship with the inspiring and energetic Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, who gave the premier of both the three Suites for cello by Britten solo and the Second Cello Concerto in G by Shostakovich.

Pieter Wispelwey recorded Shostakovich with the Sinfonietta Cracovia which ranks among the leading Polish and European orchestras. The exceptional atmosphere of their concerts, the enthusiastic reception by the audiences, glowing reviews and, first of all, the quality of stage performances are to confirm the sustainable development of the still young ensemble.

Wispelwey needs no further explanation. In 1990 his first recording with Channel Classics, the Bach Cello Suites, was released to great acclaim and in 1992 he was the first cellist ever to receive the Netherlands Music Prize, which is endowed upon the most promising young musician in the Netherlands; thus his path was secured to the busy and varied career he has today. Recently the latest release of Dvorak’s Cello Concerto with Budapest Festival Orchestra gave him, Channel Classics and Ivan Fischer and his BFO great reviews.