Dmitri's Dacha

[aukhawk]

Saya it all really.

[vandermolen]

Saya it all really.

Another nostalgia trip!

[Roasted Swan]

Another nostalgia trip!

I don't know whether to be pleased or slightly disturbed by the fact that my brain chooses to remember "Universo" after about 40 years.  When I think of all the things I don't remember why on earth does that utterly pointless fact get squirreled away!

[Karl Henning]

Only, I think all the bits of the Eleventh are good.

I enjoy the Twelfth, only there are 14 Shostakovich symphonies I enjoy even more.

[Irons]

Saya it all really.

That's the one!

[Irons]

This is the CD version I have Lol. Never had the LP. I wouldn't have associated him (Herbert Kegel) with Britten's War Requiem either but have really enjoyed his recently released performance. I think he conducted the extract from Orff's Carmina Burana used in the film 'Excalibur' (one of my favourite films, especially for Nicol Williamson's extraordinary performance as Merlin), which is probably where I first came across his name:

Nicol Williamson! That is a blast from the past Jeffrey. A hero of mine as he was super-cool before the word "cool" was invented. The one film that I remember him for is "Inadmissible Evidence".

[vandermolen]

Nicol Williamson! That is a blast from the past Jeffrey. A hero of mine as he was super-cool before the word "cool" was invented. The one film that I remember him for is "Inadmissible Evidence".

OT
He was also excellent as a drugged-up Sherlock Holmes to Alan Arkin's impressive Sigmund Freud in 'The Seven Percent Solution'. The film is also noteworthy for the most bizarre English accent from Robert Duvall as Dr Watson. I must look out for 'Inadmissable Evidence'. You must see 'Excalibur' Lol if you don't know it.

[Karl Henning]

That's the one!

Most curiously, I was thinking, as I listened to the first movement just now, how Shostakovich seemed to take the 1812 Overture as almost a template.

[Roasted Swan]

OT
He was also excellent as a drugged-up Sherlock Holmes to Alan Arkin's impressive Sigmund Freud in 'The Seven Percent Solution'. The film is also noteworthy for the most bizarre English accent from Robert Duvall as Dr Watson. I must look out for 'Inadmissable Evidence'. You must see 'Excalibur' Lol if you don't know it.

I have Excalibur on Blu-ray.  Love that film..... the actor doing King Arthur has a very odd Mummerset accent but great seeing the likes of Liam Neeson and Patrick Stewart in bit-part roles.  Helen Mirren is a very sexy Morgana.  But using Siegfried's Funeral Music at the end when excalibur is thrown to the Lady of the Lake it utter pure theatrical/cinematic genius.  I remember being absolutely knocked out by that sequence in the cinema........ at a time when I hadn't got a clue that it was Wagner being used.

[vandermolen]

I have Excalibur on Blu-ray.  Love that film..... the actor doing King Arthur has a very odd Mummerset accent but great seeing the likes of Liam Neeson and Patrick Stewart in bit-part roles.  Helen Mirren is a very sexy Morgana.  But using Siegfried's Funeral Music at the end when excalibur is thrown to the Lady of the Lake it utter pure theatrical/cinematic genius.  I remember being absolutely knocked out by that sequence in the cinema........ at a time when I hadn't got a clue that it was Wagner being used.

Having the Blu-Ray must be good. I saw it at the cinema too. My friend identified it as Wagner at the time. There is a very interesting documentary about the making of Excalibur. It was made many years ago but only recently found a distributor. Yes, the ending is very powerful. I got in contact with the actor who played Sir Percival and had a nice response from him. He said that the months filming Excalibur in Ireland were amongst the happiest of his career and gave an account of Nicol Williamson arranging a characteristic drinking binge to celebrate his (Sir Percival's) marriage. The music composed by Trevor Jones for the film is good too.

[SymphonicAddict]

I enjoy the Twelfth, only there are 14 Shostakovich symphonies I enjoy even more.

In my case it's the 14th Symphony the one I enjoy the least.

[vandermolen]

In my case it's the 14th Symphony the one I enjoy the least.

+1

[Daverz]

Well, I'm not often in the mood for 11 songs about death, but when I am, Symphony No. 14 really hits the spot.

[Andy D.]

The 14th, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 12th have yet to be heard by me.

Lately I'm having the hardest time dragging myself away from this recording. The 8th is easily my favorite Shost symphony...I so love how it yields rewards with each, careful listen. I love this symphony (and am a big fan of 10, 11, 13, and 15 as well.

[vandermolen]

Well, I'm not often in the mood for 11 songs about death, but when I am, Symphony No. 14 really hits the spot.

I must listen to it again. For years I didn't appreciate No.13 'Babi Yar' but now it is one of my favourites.

[Karl Henning]

Well, I'm not often in the mood for 11 songs about death, but when I am, Symphony No. 14 really hits the spot.

"O Delvig, Delvig!" is top-shelf Shostakovich

[relm1]

Most curiously, I was thinking, as I listened to the first movement just now, how Shostakovich seemed to take the 1812 Overture as almost a template.

At first pass, Shosti seems quite removed from the Russian tradition but in closer examination, Tchaikovsky shows up quite a bit in his works.

[Andy D.]

I've heard my favorite and already deeply loved (the 8th) as performed by Barshai (very good) and Mravinsky (YAYYYY!), but am looking forward to checking out the Kondrashian, Jarvi, those Russian dudes (laughing).

This symphony has become an all time great for me.

[relm1]

I've heard my favorite and already deeply loved (the 8th) as performed by Barshai (very good) and Mravinsky (YAYYYY!), but am looking forward to checking out the Kondrashian, Jarvi, those Russian dudes (laughing).

This symphony has become an all time great for me.

I've heard all those but still prefer Haitink, but yes Barshai is a great cycle and of course Mravinsky/Kondrashian is worthy of hearing his authentic perspective.  Jarvi is solid but doesn't kick off these others from the top of the pyramid.

[relm1]

Folks, what is your favorite No. 11?