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Preferred recordings of DSCH Symphonies

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Neil McGowan
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« on: March 09, 2015, 10:12:41 am »

The idea for this thread arose during another discussion, and it seems a very worthwhile topic - to compare and contrast our preferred recordings of major symphonic works.

I would like to kick the discussion into play with comparisons of Shostakovich 5th Symphony

My benchmark for this symphony - simply because I've owned it longest, and played it most - is the Kondrashin recording, with the Moscow Philharmonic.  For me this is the ideal balance of the lyrical and melodic elements in the work with the 'dramatic' and terrifying.  There are certainly grotesque elements, but Kondrashin doesn't allow them to dominate the overall "take away" feeling we have at the end of the performance - while still giving the insane march motifs in Movt 1 their full value.  It's a rhythmically taut performance, and benefits from the rather 'brash" Moscow brass sound which Shostakovich wrote for.

Other contenders?  There are many fans of the Haitinck recording with the Concertgebouw, and if you prefer a more lyrical reading of the symphony, you may like this too?   For me, the brass is a bit anaemic compared to the soviet recordings.

What other performances do members relish?

It would be appreciated if we could keep this discussion on-topic, and about the music. Thanks.
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Jolly Roger
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« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2015, 10:35:23 am »

I first heard the 5th done by Lenny Bernstein and the NYPO and for me at least, it is the one I keep in my fondest memories.
Critics say the performance is too hyped up, especially in the excessively accelerated last movement..and perhaps not what the composer
had intended..but I think it is a thrilling finale.
None the less, it has always been top shelf for me.
Here is a NPR article describing that performance.
http://www.npr.org/2011/07/18/113792055/dmitri-shostakovichs-symphonic-coup
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tapiola
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« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2015, 11:24:25 am »

No. 1..............Stokowski, Ormandy
No. 2 & 3.........Morton Gould
No. 4..............Ormandy
No. 5..............Bernstein, Mitropoulos
No. 6..............Bernstein, Boult
No. 7..............Bernstein (Columbia)
No. 8..............Previn (EMI)
No. 9..............Ormandy
No. 10............Mitropoulos, Ormandy
No. 11............Stokowski
No. 12............None
No. 13............Kondrashin, Ormandy
No. 14............Barshai, Bernstein
No. 15............M. Shostakovich
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mjkFendrich
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« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2015, 02:18:26 pm »

No. 1..............Stokowski, Ormandy
No. 2 & 3.........Morton Gould
No. 4..............Ormandy
No. 5..............Bernstein, Mitropoulos
No. 6..............Bernstein, Boult
No. 7..............Bernstein (Columbia)
No. 8..............Previn (EMI)
No. 9..............Ormandy
No. 10............Mitropoulos, Ormandy
No. 11............Stokowski
No. 12............None
No. 13............Kondrashin, Ormandy
No. 14............Barshai, Bernstein
No. 15............M. Shostakovich

It's astonishing to notice the total absence of Soviet conductors in your preferences for nos. 1 - 11  :o
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tapiola
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« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2015, 02:22:10 pm »

I used to listen to every recording I could find but I always return to the first recordings I heard and through them grew to love them all.  I did not find the Soviet recording any more compelling/revealing than the others.
 I do list Kondrashin, Barshai and Maksim Shostakovich
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Neil McGowan
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« Reply #5 on: March 09, 2015, 03:14:56 pm »

It would add further depth to this discussion if members felt free to mention what specifically they admire about the recordings they've recommended? 

Not obligatory, of course :)
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Toby Esterhase
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« Reply #6 on: March 09, 2015, 11:56:06 pm »

Eight by Haitink IMHO is better than conducting and for orchestra to Mravinsky's version.
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Gauk
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« Reply #7 on: March 10, 2015, 12:36:08 am »

Eight by Haitink IMHO is better than conducting and for orchestra to Mravinsky's version.

Not sure that I have heard Haitink's recording, but that by Mravinsky is rivetting. And few trumpeters generate the same excitement as the Leningrad Phil manages in the scherzo.
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Elroel
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« Reply #8 on: March 10, 2015, 10:22:51 am »

As for the 5th: the Rozhdestvenky version I also like a lot. Another, with a different approach is Gergiev with the Kirov Orch and recently I heard Simon Rattle's version with the Rotterdam Philh. Orch
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Jolly Roger
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« Reply #9 on: March 12, 2015, 08:31:07 am »

The first time I heard the 10th, I fell in love with the piece. And that was an old Columbia LP by Mitropoulas and the NYPO..
I have heard many others, the closest one to compare is the CzechoSlovak Radio Symphony led by Ladislav Slovak.
It is a dour compelling piece which to me describes the pitiful souless state of modern man..
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