Dmitri's Dacha

[Brian]

his usual choice of orchestra for this label: the Gothenburg Symphony

...which were his "usual choice" because he was their Chief Conductor for many, many years.

[Mirror Image]

...which were his "usual choice" because he was their Chief Conductor for many, many years.

That's right! I like his work with the Scottish National Orchestra the best.

[Mirror Image]

What does everybody think of the Haitink set?



It has been a few years since I listened to this set. I can't remember the pros/cons of it. I'm thinking about digging it back out, what do you think I should listen to first or what, in your opinion, is one of the better performances of the set?

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

What does everybody think of the Haitink set?

I've heard several of the performances in the set. The 8th is a powerful and relentless performance, with awesome playing by the Conc'bouw. The 15th is also very good. The 5th is pretty good, but middle-of-the-road. I can't recall hearing anything else, but the set as a whole seems to get mostly positive reviews.

[not edward]

I've heard several of the performances in the set. The 8th is a powerful and relentless performance, with awesome playing by the Conc'bouw. The 15th is also very good. The 5th is pretty good, but middle-of-the-road. I can't recall hearing anything else, but the set as a whole seems to get mostly positive reviews.

Agreed regarding the 15th; it's a very fine performance, as is the 14th if you can deal with Fischer-Dieskau barking his way through his vocal parts. Generally, what I've heard I would describe as very well-executed, sympathetic mainstream readings. Whether the listener prefers their Shostakovich in this manner or, say, the approach of a Kondrashin, is likely to come down to individual preference, I think.

[Mirror Image]

Thanks for your feedback guys. I'll start with the 15th and 8th then.

[karlhenning]

I like the Seventh and Thirteenth in the Haitink cycle, as well.

[Mirror Image]

I like the Seventh and Thirteenth in the Haitink cycle, as well.

Everybody, let's just list the whole cycle.

[Robert]

What does everybody think of the Haitink set?



It has been a few years since I listened to this set. I can't remember the pros/cons of it. I'm thinking about digging it back out, what do you think I should listen to first or what, in your opinion, is one of the better performances of the set?

John,
Have you heard any Jansons??.

[karlhenning]

John,
Have you heard any Jansons??.

You didn't ask me . . . but the Eighth, Tenth and Fifteenth are particularly outstanding in the Jansons cycle.

[Robert]

You didn't ask me . . . but the Eighth, Tenth and Fifteenth are particularly outstanding in the Jansons cycle.

Sorry Karl. I don't know what I was thinking..Please forgive me.  I guess I was away far too long....I agree with your choices.....I never cared for his Symphony 2 - 3, until I heard Jansons.  I have most of his Shostakovich. He is near the top for me....

[karlhenning]

No worries, Robert, I just chimed right in . . . .

[PaulR]

You didn't ask me . . . but the Eighth, Tenth and Fifteenth are particularly outstanding in the Jansons cycle.

If I recall it correctly (Haven't listened to it in a while) his Thirteenth is also very good in my opinion

[Mirror Image]

John,
Have you heard any Jansons??.

Yes, I own and heard the Jansons cycle. I don't remember it though.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

You didn't ask me . . . but the Eighth, Tenth and Fifteenth are particularly outstanding in the Jansons cycle.

I can vouch for that 15th. It's on the dark side, rather than the whimsical side of the intepretation continuum.

[Tapio Dimitriyevich Shostakovich]

I like the Seventh and Thirteenth in the Haitink cycle, as well.

The one and only Eleventh is with Haitink. I know I've already mentioned that, but I can't resist.

[Robert]

Yes, I own and heard the Jansons cycle. I don't remember it though.

Morning John,

I take this to mean you found nothing memorable about his conducting.   Which Shostakovich symphony conductor or conductors do you remember. Can you identify them just by listening to them.

[Mirror Image]

Morning John,

I take this to mean you found nothing memorable about his conducting.   Which Shostakovich symphony conductor or conductors do you remember. Can you identify them just by listening to them.

Morning Robert,

I took Sanderling, Petrenko, Rattle, and Rostropovich when I first heard them. I can recognize each of these conductors interpretations by the sound of the orchestra and by how they accent different phrases. Haitink and Jansons I seem to can't remember a note. I don't know why.

[Robert]

Morning Robert,

I took Sanderling, Petrenko, Rattle, and Rostropovich when I first heard them. I can recognize each of these conductors interpretations by the sound of the orchestra and by how they accent different phrases. Haitink and Jansons I seem to can't remember a note. I don't know why.

Yes  I understand.  The one thing I hear in Haitink is his intense detail to sound....It sucks you right in......I also enjoy Rostropovich....

[Robert]

The one and only Eleventh is with Haitink. I know I've already mentioned that, but I can't resist.

Forgetting  the age of the recording, Stokowski gives him some stiff competition...