Shostakovich vs. Britten

[Mirror Image]

Who do you prefer?

I think my vote is obvious. If I were to pit Shostakovich against some of my absolute favorite composers like Bartok or Ravel, then I would choose the "banana" option, but since I pitted Shosty against Britten, the choice is easy: Shostakovich. I couldn't live without Shostakovich's music. I love a lot of Britten's music, but I can do without it.

[DavidW]

Me too Shostakovich is da bomb.  But we should do Shostakovich vs Prokofiev vs Rachmaninov.   Wait a sec...

[Mirror Image]

Works I love by Shostakovich:

-Symphonies Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 15
-String Quartet No. 8
-Violin Concertos 1 & 2
-Piano Concertos 1 & 2
-Cello Concerto No. 2
-Piano Quintet
-The Golden Age
-The Bolt
-Hamlet film score
-King Lear incidental music
-Song of the Forests 
-Festive Overture
-Jazz Suites 1 & 2
-Lady Macbeth

Works I love by Britten:

-Four Sea Interludes
-Sinfonia da Requiem
-Ballad of Heroes
-Simple Symphony
-Variations On A Theme By Frank Bridge
-Diversions
-Violin Concerto
-Piano Concerto

[eyeresist]

This was an easy one.

[PaulR]

I return to Shostakovich more than I do Britten....so the answer is simple  0:)

[Todd]

Shostakovich for everything but opera.  Britten for opera.

[Lethevich]

Britten for opera, choral (by a nose*) and songs. DSCH for chamber music. About even for orchestral. It is a tie for me, though I get why Shosty is considered greater. Conceptually, Britten's sense of "inner" oppression appeals more to me than DS's literal ones.

*hehe.

[TheGSMoeller]

Really? I'm the only vote for Britten?
His output of chamber, operas, choral, concertos and orchestral music is just as substantial as other 20th century composers.
I feel that because Britten didn't compose many symphonies his name isn't as prominent. There seems to be a fascination with numbered symphonies among classical music listeners and concert goers.

[Karl Henning]

Like them both so well, here is another instance where I abstain, bananaly.

[mahler10th]

Shosty because I have become involved in a relationship with his music.   

[mc ukrneal]

I went for Britten. I love his operas, particularly Turn of the Screw, which is one of the more brilliant operas ever written. All it takes is the opening chords to give me this chill, this funny sensation - one I cannot replicate in any other music. I find his music worms into your soul and stays there in a way that very few do (and I am not entirely sure how to explain that - I love lots of other composers, but Britten is one that has moved me, changed me, made me feel uncomfortable, gives me an unparalleled high, changed how I view/listen to music). I'm intrigued by Lethe's idea of 'inner oppression'.   

[not edward]

choral (by a nose* ...)

No, that's opera.

Also, musa sapientum.

[madaboutmahler]

All these polls!!! 

Voted for Shostakovich. Do love a lot of Britten's music though.

[Klaze]

Tough choice between these two. In the end I vote Britten. I feel there's a bit more variety in his music and in the ways it affects me as listener.

[Mirror Image]

Tough choice between these two. In the end I vote Britten. I feel there's a bit more variety in his music and in the ways it affects me as listener.

No argument from me on the way Britten's music affects you. You simply prefer him over Shosty, but I do have to say that I don't agree with your opinion that there's a lack of variety in Shosty's music compared to Britten. Shosty was one of the most versatile composers alive in the 20th Century. I mean the guy could write anything and he pretty much as in every genre.

[Mirror Image]

Shosty because I have become involved in a relationship with his music.   

Yes and I'm glad you have, John!

[Kontrapunctus]

Why couldn't it have been Shostakovich vs Gottschalk?  Anyway, I'd still take Shosty--although I love Britten's music, too.

[Karl Henning]

Like them both so well, here is another instance where I abstain, bananaly.

I have now cast my banana vote.

[Klaze]

No argument from me on the way Britten's music affects you. You simply prefer him over Shosty, but I do have to say that I don't agree with your opinion that there's a lack of variety in Shosty's music compared to Britten. Shosty was one of the most versatile composers alive in the 20th Century. I mean the guy could write anything and he pretty much as in every genre.

For sure, Shostakovich wrote well in every genre, and he is one of my favourite composers. What I meant to say was; the reason I would ultimately choose Britten is because I think his musical language/soundworld is richer/more varied than in the case of Shostakovich, which makes Britten slightly more interesting to listen to, for me.

[Mirror Image]

For sure, Shostakovich wrote well in every genre, and he is one of my favourite composers. What I meant to say was; the reason I would ultimately choose Britten is because I think his musical language/soundworld is richer/more varied than in the case of Shostakovich, which makes Britten slightly more interesting to listen to, for me.

Ah, I see, but as much as I would like to argue with you about the differences in both composer's musical language, I simply don't have the energy, but let me say that it all depends on the work you're hearing by Shostakovich. There are some where the grey mood and lack of variety in the music was the whole point of expression.