Calefax play Shostakovich

[petite joueuse]

Couldn't decide whether to post this in piano or woodwind!

A friend gave me yesterday a CD by a wind (reed) quintet, playing their own arrangements of Shosta's Preludes & Fugues (which, you may remember, are my all-time favourite pieces of piano music).

The CD is STUNNING! It sounds so "appropriate" for these pieces to be played by a wind ensemble. I was totally amazed. In particular, the fugues become possibly clearer than on piano alone, as each instument takes the fugal theme at a different register. Incredible!

If you ever get a chance to see them or hear them, DO!!

[princessmoose]

Sounds interesting! What is the CD called?

[petite joueuse]

Its called Calefax plays Shostakovich.
Their web address is www.calefax.nl

I think you'd really like it - oboe, bassoon, bass clarinet, saxophone, clarinet (and for some tracks, there's a basset horn). Lovely reedy ensemble (no flutes!).

[princessmoose]

I've just listened to a few soundclips, sounds great!

[petite joueuse]

Apparently they played at the Buxton festival this year, alternating their wind versions with a pianist playing the "original" version. Actually, what struck me was that Shosta himself would probably have approved of this wind version - it sounds like the Jazz Suite in places.
Having studied some of these pieces in depth (from a purely pianistic point of view), I now have a totally fresh way of looking at them!

[princessmoose]

Yeah, I have a book of Shosti's Preludes. I can't order the CD though, it's in euros..I don't understand euros haha.

[petite joueuse]

Amazon have got it for £12.99!

[princessmoose]

Ooooh might put it on my wish list!