Dmitri's Dacha

Started by karlhenning, April 09, 2007, 08:13:49 AM

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Symphonic Addict

For those who are collecting the recent Chandos recordings of his symphonies, there's another instalment to be released on 15 August:

The current annihilation of a people on this planet (you know which one it is) is the most documented and at the same time the most preposterously denied.

Der lächelnde Schatten

Quote from: Symphonic Addict on June 09, 2025, 10:58:33 AMFor those who are collecting the recent Chandos recordings of his symphonies, there's another instalment to be released on 15 August:



I can't see the image (looks like an image from Presto's site), but I looked it up and found it on Amazon UK:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dmitri-Shostakovich-Symphonies-First-Scherzos/dp/B0F92P6PWC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2P9YSZ85IQGAL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.cQbkjfoV_o5S54SqYnlmzRA713EFJLfw0Uf1d4RXLdH3iN6A-LHIHXsDetqJVJLDoZLA0dJlEbqCDf0Hvo6ECrN7olk95VSUBkM_oaV0VVY.pAPzOxlTLcLpUooFnmc_jvIOTgP9Kcv3RK40gh8KfFI&dib_tag=se&keywords=Shostakovich+Storgards&qid=1749500381&s=music&sprefix=shostakovich+storgards%2Cpopular%2C176&sr=1-1



I don't own any of this Shostakovich Storgårds series, but I've read nothing but good things about it.
"To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist." ― Robert Schumann

Symphonic Addict

Quote from: Der lächelnde Schatten on June 09, 2025, 12:21:45 PMI can't see the image (looks like an image from Presto's site), but I looked it up and found it on Amazon UK:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dmitri-Shostakovich-Symphonies-First-Scherzos/dp/B0F92P6PWC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2P9YSZ85IQGAL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.cQbkjfoV_o5S54SqYnlmzRA713EFJLfw0Uf1d4RXLdH3iN6A-LHIHXsDetqJVJLDoZLA0dJlEbqCDf0Hvo6ECrN7olk95VSUBkM_oaV0VVY.pAPzOxlTLcLpUooFnmc_jvIOTgP9Kcv3RK40gh8KfFI&dib_tag=se&keywords=Shostakovich+Storgards&qid=1749500381&s=music&sprefix=shostakovich+storgards%2Cpopular%2C176&sr=1-1



I don't own any of this Shostakovich Storgårds series, but I've read nothing but good things about it.


I haven't heard any note of those recordings either. I'm expecting more releases of Weinberg's symphonies with the same forces, especially the symphonies 9, 11 and 15 that haven't been recorded before.
The current annihilation of a people on this planet (you know which one it is) is the most documented and at the same time the most preposterously denied.

Der lächelnde Schatten

Quote from: Symphonic Addict on June 09, 2025, 05:10:22 PMI haven't heard any note of those recordings either. I'm expecting more releases of Weinberg's symphonies with the same forces, especially the symphonies 9, 11 and 15 that haven't been recorded before.

I wouldn't hold your breath. I think Chandos only released that one Weinberg recording with Storgårds because his Symphony No. 12 is written in memoriam of Shostakovich.
"To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist." ― Robert Schumann

Symphonic Addict

Quote from: Der lächelnde Schatten on June 09, 2025, 05:19:44 PMI wouldn't hold your breath. I think Chandos only released that one Weinberg recording with Storgårds because his Symphony No. 12 is written in memoriam of Shostakovich.

Maybe not from the same orchestra and conductor, but since that label has recorded several of those symphonies, I still have a little of hope.
The current annihilation of a people on this planet (you know which one it is) is the most documented and at the same time the most preposterously denied.

Der lächelnde Schatten

Quote from: Symphonic Addict on June 09, 2025, 05:39:27 PMMaybe not from the same orchestra and conductor, but since that label has recorded several of those symphonies, I still have a little of hope.

Yeah, you never know what Chandos will do. Sometimes their label surprises me with their releases.
"To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist." ― Robert Schumann

JBS

Chandos released three CDs during 2004-2006 that seemed to be intended as the start of a series, but stopped well short of completeness.

Hollywood Beach Broadwalk

Brian

The original intention was that Chandos and Naxos would complete the cycle together, with Antoni Wit taking the biggest and choral symphonies and Chandos taking the smallest ones. Wit's departure from Warsaw, and that orchestra's subsequent contract with Warner, ended the proposed cycle. (It also affected a number of other proposed Wit/Naxos projects.)

Daverz

Quote from: Brian on June 09, 2025, 06:31:15 PMThe original intention was that Chandos and Naxos would complete the cycle together, with Antoni Wit taking the biggest and choral symphonies and Chandos taking the smallest ones. Wit's departure from Warsaw, and that orchestra's subsequent contract with Warner, ended the proposed cycle. (It also affected a number of other proposed Wit/Naxos projects.)

Also, Chmura died in November of 2020.  Oddly, the only other Chmura recordings I'm familiar with are a lovely Haydn Morning, Noon & Night on CBC.

foxandpeng

Quote from: DavidW on June 08, 2025, 06:37:05 PMThe Columbia Bernstein recordings might be older, but this one is in modern sound and is IMO the definitive recording of the 7th:


The Haitink/RCO/LPO cycle is also in digital sound. It is great and well worth listening to.

Thanks, Dave. Helpful, as ever. Listened to this earlier today, and found it enjoyable. I don't believe that I will ever be anything but a novice where classical music is concerned, which is ok, so long as people are patient with my uneducated ramblings. I apologies for any annoyance that might bring.

I followed this by playing the Oleg Caetani 'Leningrad', with the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi. Again, a version that I enjoy very much - not that I note massive differences between the two. I probably have a level of recency bias that is present.
"A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people ... then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbour — such is my idea of happiness"

Tolstoy

Roasted Swan

Quote from: foxandpeng on June 10, 2025, 05:02:41 AMThanks, Dave. Helpful, as ever. Listened to this earlier today, and found it enjoyable. I don't believe that I will ever be anything but a novice where classical music is concerned, which is ok, so long as people are patient with my uneducated ramblings. I apologies for any annoyance that might bring.

I followed this by playing the Oleg Caetani 'Leningrad', with the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi. Again, a version that I enjoy very much - not that I note massive differences between the two. I probably have a level of recency bias that is present.

The Caetani cycle is very fine and quite individual.  I do think the Bernstein Chicago Leningrad is rather special but again it is quite an individual version.  At the end of the day the only thing that matters with any piece and any version is how and whether it speaks to you.  If it doesn't so what if the whole world says its the best ever!  I understand that it can be helpful to aim listeners towards certain works or versions but ultimately we are all our own arbiters - the key is to keep on listening and keep on enjoying.....

Karl Henning

I'm another fan of Lenny/Chicago. And while I haven't heard the entire Caetani cycle, I very much like those that I've heard. 
Karl Henning, Ph.D.
Composer & Clarinetist
Boston MA
http://www.karlhenning.com/
[Matisse] was interested neither in fending off opposition,
nor in competing for the favor of wayward friends.
His only competition was with himself. — Françoise Gilot

foxandpeng

Quote from: Roasted Swan on June 10, 2025, 05:59:10 AMThe Caetani cycle is very fine and quite individual.  I do think the Bernstein Chicago Leningrad is rather special but again it is quite an individual version.  At the end of the day the only thing that matters with any piece and any version is how and whether it speaks to you.  If it doesn't so what if the whole world says its the best ever!  I understand that it can be helpful to aim listeners towards certain works or versions but ultimately we are all our own arbiters - the key is to keep on listening and keep on enjoying.....

This has long been my view. I want to understand what I am hearing and if possible to quantify what is commendable or lacking in a given piece or performance, but at the end of the day, I am moved by what works for me. I am happy to be in the minority in my views or preferences. Having said that, I do adhere to a notion of objective excellence, demonstrable skill, or essential beauty in art. Without resorting to a J Evans Pritchard (Dead Poets' Society) graph to map the worth of a piece of poetry, art or music, I do believe that some things are intrinsically more worthy than others.... it may not mean that I prefer a particularly feted rendering, but it should at least be acknowledged :)
"A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people ... then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbour — such is my idea of happiness"

Tolstoy

DavidW

Quote from: foxandpeng on June 10, 2025, 05:02:41 AMThanks, Dave. Helpful, as ever. Listened to this earlier today, and found it enjoyable. I don't believe that I will ever be anything but a novice where classical music is concerned, which is ok, so long as people are patient with my uneducated ramblings. I apologies for any annoyance that might bring.

I'm glad you liked it! No need to apologize. I never know what sounds good to Scarpia's or your ears. I'm just a pretend audiophile next to you guys. I like the sound of good gear, but I'm much more laid back about SQ in recordings.

Anyway, you already own my favorite set: Petrenko.

foxandpeng

Quote from: DavidW on June 10, 2025, 06:48:59 AMI'm glad you liked it! No need to apologize. I never know what sounds good to Scarpia's or your ears. I'm just a pretend audiophile next to you guys. I like the sound of good gear, but I'm much more laid back about SQ in recordings.

Anyway, you already own my favorite set: Petrenko.

Petrenko is very good, in my view. If you are also a fan, then my enthusiasm is not unfounded 😊
"A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people ... then work which one hopes may be of some use; then rest, nature, books, music, love for one's neighbour — such is my idea of happiness"

Tolstoy

Der lächelnde Schatten

One of my favorite Leningrad performances comes from Svetlanov and the USSR State Symphony Orchestra (or whatever they're called) on Melodiya.

It was remastered not too long ago and made available in this now OOP set (which I'm sure can be streamed now):

"To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist." ― Robert Schumann

Der lächelnde Schatten

#3216
When it comes to Shostakovich, we're in no short supply of fabulous recordings. This composer's discography is so vast. It's truly jaw-dropping the amount of recordings available just of the symphonies, concerti and SQs.
"To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist." ― Robert Schumann

Der lächelnde Schatten

Some complete cycles of the SQs that have impressed me through the years:

"To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist." ― Robert Schumann

Der lächelnde Schatten

If I was still buying CDs and didn't own any of the Capriccio recordings, I would definitely be acquiring these sets:

"To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist." ― Robert Schumann

Der lächelnde Schatten

Also, can I take for a second to say how much I love Shostakovich's song cycles like From Jewish Poetry, Six Poems by Marina Tsvetayeva, Seven Romances on Poems by Alexander Blok et. al. Such masterful works and if one doesn't like vocal music, then tune the vocals out and listen to the way Shostakovich writes for the instruments around the vocals. Truly remarkable.
"To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist." ― Robert Schumann