In 1992 Rostropovich recorded an excellent Shostakovich Eleventh with the National Symphony Orchestra–a performance that was impressive for the grim stoicism in the conducting and the dogged determination in the orchestra’s playing. The 10 years between that recording and this new one with the London Symphony Orchestra have brought an unfortunate easing of tension, resulting in a slower and often duller interpretation. This live performance sports a first movement that clocks in at more than 20 minutes (three and a half minutes longer than the previous version), bringing the total timing beyond 72 minutes. Where Rostropovich once carefully shaped the shadowy contours of the long-lined main theme, he now just lets the tune blandly crawl by at a snail’s pace. The second movement’s more dramatic and violent passages have taken on a deliberateness that blunts the music’s sting, while the finale suffers from Rostropovich’s excruciatingly slow preparation for the grand coda.
The London Symphony’s polished but not especially compelling playing is no challenge to the National Symphony’s rougher, more gripping performance. Then there’s the dry, boxy Barbican Hall recording, which emasculates the percussion and leaves precious little breathing room between listener and orchestra. Suffice to say this LSO Live release does little to enhance Rostropovich’s reputation and demonstrates the virtue of leaving well enough alone. Stick with the earlier version.
