Favorite Moments in a Shostakovich Symphony

Opus106 · November 20, 2010, 09:57:32 AM

Quote from: Sergeant Rock on November 20, 2010, 09:50:51 AM
The DG is the one I was referring to specifically although the Teldec version (recorded ten years later as part of his cycle) is similar in mood and timings.

Sarge

Ah, all right. I'm just about to give it a "midnight spin."

Klaatu · November 23, 2010, 08:50:44 AM

Favourite moments....

1) The "Nazi" theme in the 1st movement of the Leningrad - if it's done properly.

(Of course, it wasn't about the Nazis at all, but about the enemies of freedom within the USSR itself (esp. Stalin) and, on a wider scale, the enemies of freedom everywhere.)

So, IMHO the trick to pulling this off is for the conductor to get the first variations of the theme to sound happy and jolly - rather like a the vibe of a communist propaganda film showing smiling peasants bringing in the harvest. Then.....it gradually turns nasty. Then.....it turns bloody terrifying.

(Just as "Uncle Joe" was gradually revealed to be a psychopathic mass-murderer, and indeed as any powerful figure can be hiding tremendous evil behind a facade of righteousness.)

2) The finale of No 10, where, at the very instant that the side-drummers rattle out their ominous rhythm from the Stalin-inspired scherzo, it is counterattacked - and vanquished - by the DSCH motto-theme, leading to a tumultuous shout of joy in the final bars. Brilliant!

Tapio Dmitriyevich · December 04, 2010, 06:58:19 AM

Is Shostakovich 11 w/Haitink/Concertgebouw teh rox?! After a first listen: Yes! Very powerful and all those mysterious passages - very convincing!

I definitely want to hear the 11th live one day.

RJR · December 09, 2010, 08:33:29 AM

Has anyone here seen the Russian film "Soleil Trompeur"?
Circa 1994, or therabouts. It expressed very well the rampant paranoia of Soviet society under Stalin. Karel Ancerl's recording of Shostakovich's Tenth Symphony aptly describes that paranoia, from beginning to end. Frightening.

madaboutmahler · September 10, 2011, 08:49:44 AM

hmm....

Final few minutes of the finale to no.1.
The climax following that frantic string passage in no.4.
The flute/horn duet accompanied by harp and strings near the end of the 1st movement of no.5.
The first 3 (or so) minutes of the finale of the 6th symphony.
The climax and ending of the last movement of the 10th symphony, these would have to be my absolute favourite Shostakovich moments.
The climax of the second movement of the 11th symphony with the thudding percussion and triplets in the rest of the orchestra.
The massive percussion climax in the "aurora" movement of the 12th symphony along with the final few movements of the finale movement.

So many great moments in the Shostakovich symphonies!

Daniel

Herman · September 10, 2011, 08:58:15 AM

Two things, but don't shoot me if I'm not exact.

I love the melancholy cadence that occurs in both the 14th symphony and the 15th.

And I love the starry night percussion at the end of the 15th and the Michelangelo Sonnets.

TheGSMoeller · September 10, 2011, 09:20:27 AM

Quote from: Herman on September 10, 2011, 08:58:15 AM

And I love the starry night percussion at the end of the 15th and the Michelangelo Sonnets.

Agreed.

Opus106 · September 10, 2011, 10:01:59 AM

The cor anglais solo in the final movement of the 11th.

Herman · September 10, 2011, 10:10:38 AM

Quote from: Herman on September 10, 2011, 08:58:15 AM
Two things, but don't shoot me if I'm not exact.

I love the melancholy cadence that occurs in both the 14th symphony and the 15th.

In the 15th it occurs in the coda of the slow mvt, between the Glockenspiel (?) and the low brass chorale.

I really love the 15th symphony, always did. (Hope she loves me back.)

Tapio Dmitriyevich · September 12, 2011, 04:44:48 AM

Quote from: Opus106 on September 10, 2011, 10:01:59 AMThe cor anglais solo in the final movement of the 11th.

Where? I know there's an Oboe solo, followed by bass clarinet, clarinet and others...

Opus106 · September 12, 2011, 05:58:32 AM

Quote from: Tapio Dmitriyevich Shostakovich on September 12, 2011, 04:44:48 AM
Where? I know there's an Oboe solo, followed by bass clarinet, clarinet and others...

I could be mistaken, of course. The part I'm referring to is this.

Speaking of clarinets, how is your playing now?

Tapio Dmitriyevich · September 12, 2011, 07:23:24 AM

Quote from: Opus106 on September 12, 2011, 05:58:32 AMI could be mistaken, of course. The part I'm referring to is this.

I'm referring to the same part, it's most beautiful and also my favourite passage in 11/mvmt#4. But you're right, it's a Cor anglais.

QuoteSpeaking of clarinets, how is your playing now?

Oh yes, time for a new report: http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,17713.40.html