Credits:

Britten, B.

Description:

Shostakovich's Difficult 24 Preludes and Fugues - A remarkable disc in SACD hybrid format! Challenge Classics' signature pianist, Hannes Minnaar, has recorded the entirety of Shostakovich's masterpiece, the difficult "24 Preludes and Fugues," and is now available in SACD Hybrid format! The work was written in 24 different tonalities and is clearly musically conscious of Bach's "Mean Law". At first glance, it seems to be a parody of Bach, making full use of counterpoint such as multiple fugues, expansion and contraction, stretta, and counterpoint, but Shostakovich's originality is also abundantly incorporated, with dissonances that go to the limits of tonality, five beats, and a passacaglia reminiscent of a violin concerto. The composer's unique imagination explodes here and there in this uniquely enjoyable collection. Minnaar, who won the Diapason d'Or for his "Golteberg Variations" (CC-72859), is a very skilled Bachian storyteller with a modern sensibility, which makes this selection very appealing. With a supple and precise touch as her foundation, she brings out the natural beauty of the music, while vividly singing the theme in the fugue with mixed voices. The quieter passages are exquisite, and the SACD effect can be appreciated to the full. King International

Tracklisting:

1.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 1 in C major: Prelude: Moderato
2.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 1 in C major: Fugue (a 4): Moderato
3.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 2 in A minor: Prelude: Allegro
4.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 2 in A minor: Fugue (a 3): Allegretto
5.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 3 in G major: Prelude: Moderato non troppo
6.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 3 in G major: Fugue (a 3): Allegro molto
7.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 4 in E minor: Prelude: Andante
8.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 4 in E minor: Fugue (a 4): Adagio
9.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 5 in D major: Prelude: Allegretto
10.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 5 in D major: Fugue (a 3): Allegretto
11.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 6 in B minor: Prelude: Allegretto
12.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 6 in B minor: Fugue (a 4): Moderato
13.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 7 in A major: Prelude: Allegretto poco moderato
14.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 7 in A major: Fugue (a 3): Allegretto
15.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 8 in F sharp minor: Prelude: Allegretto
16.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 8 in F sharp minor: Fugue (a 3): Andante
17.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 9 in E major: Prelude: Moderato non troppo
18.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 9 in E major: Fugue (a 2): Allegro molto
19.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 10 in C sharp minor: Prelude: Moderato con moto
20.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 10 in C sharp minor: Fugue (a 4): Moderato
21.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 11 in B major: Prelude: Allegro
22.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 11 in B major: Fugue (a 3): Allegro
23.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 12 in G sharp minor: Prelude: Andante
24.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 12 in G sharp minor: Fugue (a 4): Allegro
25.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 13 in F sharp major: Prelude: Moderato con moto
26.24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87~No. 13 in F sharp major: Fugue (a 5): Adagio