Celebrated international pianist Peter Donohoe begins a new series of Shostakovich releases on Signum Classics with this new recording of Shostakovich's 24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87. All 24 of the preludes and fugues were composed within several months, after Shostakovich was inspired by the performance of Tatiana Nicolayeva, whom he heard as a jurist for the Leipzig Bach Competition in 1951. Although doubtlessly inspired by J.S. Bach's own 48 Preludes and Fugues in his use of form and counterpoint, Shostakovich's compositions are all deeply original and rooted in his own enigmatic and ambiguous style, moving from charming simplicity to dazzling virtuosity.

REVIEW:

Time and time again you hear, in this reading, passages that sound like pure Shostakovich bumping up against the numerous Bach homages, and being made to sound right at home there. Sample the “Prelude and Fugue in F minor,” neither deeply melancholy nor neutral, and quite moving in Donohoe’s hands. The massive D minor prelude and fugue at the end has plenty of power, but is kept within the sober confines of Donohoe’s overall interpretation. The intimate atmosphere created by Signum’s engineers is another draw, and overall this is a worthwhile entry in the crowded field of recordings of these works.

– All Music Guide (James Manheim)