The latest press comments about the Mariinsky label’s releases

Respected international music publications have lavished praise on discs released by the Mariinsky Theatre’s recording label. A recording of Shostakovich’s Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Symphonies released on the Mariinsky label on 2 June this year received five stars – the highest recommendation of leading British magazine Classical Music:
“Viscerally exciting performances of three of Shostakovich’s best-known symphonies which hold their own in a very crowded field. The Fourth and Sixth Symphonies especially brood impressively, coming blazingly to life when adrenaline is called for. Gergiev excels in this repertoire, and this is shaping up to be the most vital Shostakovich cycle of the 21^st century.” (Guy Weatherall)

The recording released in February this year of Tchaikovsky’s piano concerti by the Mariinsky Orchestra under the baton of Valery Gergiev with Denis Matsuev performing the piano solo was noted by the reviewer of Australia’s Limelight Magazine:
“If, like Tchaikovsky, you love his second concerto more than his first you will be knocked out by Denis Matsuev’s performance, but particularly by the musicians of the Mariinsky Orchestra under Valery Gergiev. Matsuev is on familiar territory with both works, having won the Tchaikovsky Competition in 1998, and with one recording of the first already under his belt. The ‘Siberian bear’ shows here that he is more than just an athletic powerhouse of a pianist. After the adrenaline rush of the second concerto’s opening Allegro brillante the Andante, with its lovely weaving melody, first stated by violin and cello before being taken up by the soloist, is a pure delight. This is not to say that Matsuev fails in any way with the first – this is a fine reading of an enormously popular work – but the interplay between performers in this lovely fourteen-or-so-minutes is a highlight. Gergiev arranges his richly emotional material with characteristic aplomb. Tempi are hard to fault, and of course the orchestra’s sumptuous sound is the perfect fit for Tchaikovsky.” (Steve Moffatt)