Shostakovich - 24 Preludes and Fugues
Alexander Melnikov
Harmonia Mundi HMC902019-20 (2CD + DVD)

Release date May 2010

For a long time, there have been two main contenders for top choice in the CD catalogue for this remarkable set of piano works: Tatiana Nikolayeva's Regis recording and Vladimir Ashkenazy's interpretation for Decca. Now, Alexander Melnikov's new release for Harmonia Mundi may well join them. Melnikov takes his time with these performances - 151 minutes to complete the cycle (compared to Nikolayeva's indulgent 168 and Ashkenazy's perkier 141). Some of the early preludes in particular come across as "prettier" than I am used to (for example Prelude no. 2 and no.
4) - but by no means to their detriment. As a whole, the twenty-four preludes and fugues (written in a jaw-dropping three and a half months) give us a wide spectrum of Shostakovich's compositional moods and as such, Melnikov has brought out the varying nuances with great success. Under his hands there are some moments that are utterly beautiful (Prelude and Fugue no. 16 is one such example) and others that perfectly capture Shostakovich's familiar edginess (just listen to the Fugue no. 12). My only criticism of this release is that the magnificent final prelude and fugue has ended up alone on the third disc, which makes for a slightly unsatisfying disc change after the penultimate No. 23 (and somewhat proves Melnikov's own argument that No. 24 must be seen as "the conclusion of an epic cycle" lest it appears "too extended, too monotonous"). The scholarly sleeve-notes, written by the pianist, are interesting and informative (and invaluable for those who do not know the works). The bonus DVD (which can be found on the reverse of CD3) is well worth a viewing: it shows Melnikov being interviewed by Andreas Staier. Together they analyse the works and explore influences upon Shostakovich, as well as compare the cycle to Bach's 48.

Ruth Squire