Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10 / Mahler: Symphony No. 10

These two Tenth Symphonies represent powerful statements by composers undergoing the greatest of crises in their eventful lives. Gustav Mahlers last and incomplete symphony was kept a secret by his widow Alma for many years after his death, the desperate scrawl of Almschi! on its final page an outburst at her betrayal of their marriage. Shostakovichs intense and deeply symbolic Symphony No. 10, considered by many to be his finest, was kept hidden by the composer for fear of Soviet reprisals, and was only performed after Stalins death in 1953. As far as Naxos is aware, Mahlers and Shostakovichs Tenth Symphonies are appearing here for the first time together on one disc. This version of Mahlers Tenth is also a premiere, recorded in its earliest incarnation as written in fair copy by Ernst Krenek and adapted by conductor Willem Mengelberg, one of Mahlers most loyal and insightful champions. Shostakovichs Tenth Symphony is justly famous and has been widely recorded but again, collectors will be very keen indeed to hear how it sounds with the fabulous Hong Kong Philharmonic conducted by Jaap van Zweden.

Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) - Symphony No.10 in F sharp major (1910) (Concert version ed. Willem Mengelberg and Cornelis Dopper)* (29:11)

1. I. Adagio - 24:44

2. II. Purgatorio - 4:19

Dimitry Shostakovich (1906-1975) - Symphony No.10 in E minor, Op. 93 (1953) (52:44)

3. I. Moderato - 22:14

4. II. Allegro - 4:32

5. III. Allegretto - 12:01

6. IV. Andante - Allegro - 13:35