“I think Shostakovich’s artistic truth was to represent the voice of the voiceless.” Yo-Yo Ma

In October 2023, world-renowned cellist and cultural ambassador Yo-Yo Ma returned to Boston’s Symphony Hall to play Shostakovich’s two cello concertos with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and its Music Director Andris Nelsons. Recorded by a team headed by legendary Hollywood producer Shawn Murphy and BSO lead recording engineer Nick Squire, their performances of these two very different works are now set to be released by Deutsche Grammophon to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the composer’s death in 1975.

Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1 in E flat major dates from 1959. Cast in four movements it was dedicated to and premiered by the composer’s old friend Mstislav Rostropovich. Yo-Yo Ma has played the work many times, and here brings out the contrasting moods of its writing, from dark irony to poignant lyricism, with his signature virtuosic brilliance. In many places he creates an eloquent dialogue with BSO principal horn Richard Sebring.

The Second begins in melancholy vein, with a sighing phrase for the solo cello. After the extended Largo, the second and third movements are played without a break. Shostakovich mimics a street song from Odessa in the central Allegretto. That tune is dramatically restated in the finale, which begins with a horn fanfare and eventually ends with wood block, tom-tom, snare drum and xylophone (part of the orchestra’s huge percussion section) punctuating a long-held drone note from the cellist.

Tracklisting:

Vinyl 1

Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-Flat Major, Op. 107:

Side A

I. Allegretto

II. Moderato

Side B

III. Cadenza

IV. Allegro con moto

Vinyl 2

Cello Concerto No. 2 in G Major, Op. 126:

Side C

I. Largo

Side D

II. Scherzo. Allegretto

III. Finale. Allegretto

II. Scherzo. Allegretto

III. Finale. Allegretto