March 2013 I declare Russian Symphonies Month - Who's in? :)

[Karl Henning]

Karl, any recommendations for a nice Rakh set (no lewd pun intended).  If you say Ashkenazy, I'm already sold! 

Cheers, Ray!  Something tells me that our Ilaria would rec the Ashkenazy, but I just don't know his work there.  I enjoy the Jansons set : )

[Lisztianwagner]

Cheers, Ray!  Something tells me that our Ilaria would rec the Ashkenazy, but I just don't know his work there.  I enjoy the Jansons set : )

You're right, Karl.

I've got both the sets. The Jansons is absolutely well performed and recorded, with a particularly splendid 2nd Symphony, very passionate, intense and suggestive. But the Ashkenazy is.....simply outstanding, magical! I think no one is able to express the poetical tragedy, the passion and the evocative power of Rach's music in a better way than Ashkenay's.

[huntsman]

I'm going to really try to delve into Shostakovich, though I'm puzzled you learned lads haven't mentioned him...?!

[huntsman]

I see.

Well, I shall rebel and listen anyhow! 

[springrite]

I see.

Well, I shall rebel and listen anyhow! 

Like a teacher talking to a student who missed a class: Hey! You will make up the Shostakovich AND do the rest of the Russian symphonies like the rest of the class!

[huntsman]

SIR!

YES SIR!

[Brahmsian]

I'm going to really try to delve into Shostakovich, though I'm puzzled you learned lads haven't mentioned him...?!

Hah!!!    One of the reasons I 'declared' March as Russian symphonies month, is to find an excuse to go on yet another Shostakovich symphonies binge, as I've been in withdrawal. 

[TheGSMoeller]

Hah!!!    One of the reasons I 'declared' March as Russian symphonies month, is to find an excuse to go on yet another Shostakovich symphonies binge, as I've been in withdrawal. 

This was actually my first thought when I read your subject title. 

Not sure if Schnittke has made the discussion here yet, but he's got a few symphonies well worth mentioning, No. 2, 4 & 8 come to mind.

[Brahmsian]

Conor mentioned Stravinsky's symphonies, and it deserves to be mentioned again.  Such gems! 

I hope you'll enjoy them, Conor.

[Brahmsian]

It's going to be a busy month of March!  On my menu:

The symphonies of (in various random order, to be determined later):

Prokofiev
Taneyev
Tchaikovsky
Stravinsky
Shostakovich
Rimsky-Korsakov
Myaskovsky
Rachmaninov
Glazunov

[springrite]

Esphai!

Denisov!

[huntsman]

Shosto....kovitch...! 

[springrite]

Shosto....kovitch...! 

Since as a late-comer, Shostakovich is your makeup work, so you may listen to his symphonies on your own. Please keep your headphones on and do not disturb the rest of the class AND do not hum Lady Smith and Black Monbazo while you are at it!

[Fafner]

I like this. I did not finish my January Shostakovich run anyways.

And I still have gaps in my Prokofiev and Stravinsky.
I would also like to give Weinberg and Myaskovsky a try.
Actually, a lot of Russians are completely unknown to me.

[huntsman]

Since as a late-comer, Shostakovich is your makeup work, so you may listen to his symphonies on your own. Please keep your headphones on and do not disturb the rest of the class AND do not hum Lady Smith and Black Monbazo while you are at it!

ROFLMAO!! 

[Mirror Image]

Sorry, but March is "The Ives Of March" which is dedicated to the music of Charles Ives. I will be digging out some of my favorite Ives recordings and giving them a spin.

[springrite]

Sorry, but March is "The Ives Of March" which is dedicated to the music Charles Ives. I will be digging out some of my favorite Ives recordings and giving them a spin.

I always knew you march to a different drummer. I didn't know you also use a different calendar.


(Secretly, while listening to some Russian symphonies, I will be listening to Mahler, Feldman, Bach, Medtner and Zimmermann more...)

[Mirror Image]

I always knew you march to a different drummer. I didn't know you also use a different calendar.


(Secretly, while listening to some Russian symphonies, I will be listening to Mahler, Feldman, Bach, Medtner and Zimmermann more...)

I wish I could credit the idea of March being set aside for Ives but this was (Sock Monkey) Greg's idea. Not a bad idea since Ives is one of my favorites.

[springrite]

I wish I could credit the idea of March being set aside for Ives but this was (Sock Monkey) Greg's idea. Not a bad idea since Ives is one of my favorites.

How about a March Dessident Movement?

[Mirror Image]

How about a March Dessident Movement?

Sounds good.