Shostakovich’s Suite on Finnish Folk Themes dates from 1939, and as the title states it consists of a selection of melodies arranged for voices and chamber orchestra. It lasts a bit less than 12 minutes, the tunes are cute, it’s played here as well as it can be, and there’s nothing more to it than that. The real attraction of this disc lies in the stunning performances of the two chamber symphonies arranged by Rudolph Barshai from the Eighth and Tenth string quartets. Now that Barshai’s DG recordings are long out of print, these remarkably intense, marvelously played and conducted versions rise right to the top of the heap.
The Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra clearly understands this music; its sound has a gutsy quality that projects the Allegro molto second movement of Op. 110a (after Quartet No. 8; the tray card lists this incorrectly as Op. 110b) with real passion, and the quiet playing at the outer ends of the work has wonderful texture and atmosphere. The way conductor Juha Kangas shapes the climax of the finale of Op. 118a (after Quartet No. 10) also offers an object lesson in how this music should sound. And speaking of sound, BIS serves up an ideal combination of clarity and warmth, with ample space around the instruments that prevents them from ever coming across as steely or harsh, no matter how high the pressure. A magnificent disc.
