Heavy Laden Performances of Shostakovich violin concertos - admired by ROBERT ANDERSON 'Christian Tetzlaff manages both works' difficulties effortlessly ...'

Zhdanov in the Soviet Union was a cultural monster, and yet he did ensure that Russian composers avoided till later the twelve-tone blight that crippled so many musicians in the West. lf official criticism behind the Iron Curtain was harsh (in fact it see-sawed capriciously), there were always the desk drawers to house works that might not receive approval for the moment. In lands of comparative freedom, the ready chance of a first performance too often ensured it was also the last...

DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH

RUSSIA

VIOLIN MUSIC

ORCHESTRAL MUSIC

FINLAND