Shostakovich: Symphonies vs. SQs

[kyjo]

Hoping to lighten the mood a bit......Shostakovich's symphonies and SQs are regarded as some of the greatest ever written in each genre, so I thought it would be interesting to see which cycle members prefer. Naturally, I voted for the symphonies, because I'm an orchestral nut! His SQs, though, are greatly powerful works indeed. I guess this poll really comes down to whether members prefer orchestral or chamber music, but there's always exceptions!

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Definitely the quartets, because there are no duds among them. The symphonies are more variable.

[kyjo]

Definitely the quartets, because there are no duds among them. The symphonies are more variable.

Yes, the symphonies are indeed quite variable in quality. Nos. 2, 3 and 12 are far from top-drawer Shosty, though I still enjoy them quite a bit. There's been two symphonies of his I've never quite warmed to-the Ninth and the Fourteenth. I don't know if I would categorize them as lesser Shostakovich, but they're my least favorite of the cycle. But, the love I have for nos. 1, 4, 5-8, 10, 11, 13 and 15 far outweigh my opinions of the others.

[North Star]

Thanks for reminding I need to revisit the SQ's again.

The quartets are indeed less variable in quality, but there are so many stunning symphonies, too.

Kyjo, we can still be friends even though you haven't warmed to the 9th. But that the same goes for the 14th..   

[DavidW]

No contest for me (and this is true for all composers who wrote multiple works in both forms): I always prefer the quartets. 

While I enjoy symphonies, especially from the Classical period, I much prefer chamber music, and the string quartet is arguably the pinnacle of that genre.

I feel the opposite.  Haydn and Mozart's string quartets I feel are much more satisfying works than their symphonies.  But Shostakovich's symphonies are interesting because they are varied in tone and style.  His string quartets are impressive but I like the symphonies a bit more.

[DavidW]

Okay I read that wrong.

[Sergeant Rock]

I've never quite warmed to-the Ninth and the Fourteenth.

Fascinating...those are in my top 4.

Sarge

[The new erato]

What Velimir said. And I too count the symphonies 9 &14 among his 5-6 best.

[vandermolen]

Yes, the symphonies are indeed quite variable in quality. Nos. 2, 3 and 12 are far from top-drawer Shosty, though I still enjoy them quite a bit. There's been two symphonies of his I've never quite warmed to-the Ninth and the Fourteenth. I don't know if I would categorize them as lesser Shostakovich, but they're my least favorite of the cycle. But, the love I have for nos. 1, 4, 5-8, 10, 11, 13 and 15 far outweigh my opinions of the others.

Oddly enough I rather like the 12th Symphony. The new Symphony No 4 (Petrenko) is terrific.

[DavidW]

My favorite symphonies are #4-15.  I don't care for the first three that much.

[TheGSMoeller]

Symphonies for me. Mainly because of No. 13, 14 and 15. All amazing contributions to the symphony.

[Brahmsian]

Surpringly, coming from a supposed chambernut, it is close, but I would have to chose the symphonies. 

[Brahmsian]

Oddly enough I rather like the 12th Symphony. The new Symphony No 4 (Petrenko) is terrific.

+1.  I too, really enjoy the 12th symphony.  Envious that you already have the Petrenko 4th.    I'm sure it will soon be available across the pond.


Edit:  Petrenko's 4th will be available in Canada as of October 29th.

[Daverz]

I need to do a listening survey of the String Quartets first.  I know the Symphonies fairly well, but don't know the String Quartets at all well (except for the famous ones like 8 ), so it doesn't make sense to vote on this.  I know by now that my favorite symphonies are 1, 4-6, 8-10 and 15; that 13 and particularly 14 are deeply moving but for special "occasions"; that I'll probably never learn to love 7 or 11.

[PaulR]

As of today..............Symphonies.  This can very well change tomorrow, as the quartets are all great.  The 10th, 13-15th, and 4th symphonies are among my favorite works in his catalog. 

However, if all chamber works were included in the poll, it would have changed the result.  The Second Piano Trio in E Minor op. 67 is a game changer...............

[kyjo]

Oddly enough I rather like the 12th Symphony. The new Symphony No 4 (Petrenko) is terrific.

Yes, I do too, and although many consider it to be his weakest symphony, I enjoy it a lot. I like it better than nos. 2, 3, 9 and 14, actually.

[amw]

I like one Shostakovich symphony and one Shostakovich string quartet, so it's a tie, I guess

[Brahmsian]

I feel the opposite.  Haydn and Mozart's string quartets I feel are much more satisfying works than their symphonies.  But Shostakovich's symphonies are interesting because they are varied in tone and style.  His string quartets are impressive but I like the symphonies a bit more.

I find that the further into 'newer' music I go into, I tend to prefer orchestral works.

From Baroque to the early Romantics, I tend to prefer chamber and solo instrumental works.

[Brahmsian]

I like one Shostakovich symphony and one Shostakovich string quartet, so it's a tie, I guess

Now I am curious, which one of each to you like? 

[amw]

Now I am curious, which one of each to you like? 

The symphony I like is No. 14, which I suppose is no surprise, I'm not the only committed non-Shostakovichian to single it out for admiration. (I also like the beginning and ending of No. 15, but lose interest in the middle.)

The string quartet I like, however, is No. 3, which not even Shostakovichians seem to remark on very much. For me, though it has so many of the Shostakovich style clichés that make most of his work rather tedious and repetitive, it hangs together quite well and is rather poignant, particularly the last two movements. I suppose it was one of the first works in which he used some of these clichés (passacaglia, morendo al niente ending, "pastorale" finale etc) so they had a certain degree of freshness. The Second Piano Trio from around the same time is another such piece that I also enjoy. (I seem to recall enjoying bits of String Quartet No. 2 as well, actually, though I felt it dragged on a bit long. Haven't listened to it in ages, I have it in LP transfer form with the Beethoven Quartet coupled with Shostakovich himself playing his Piano Quintet, there are worse ways to spend a Friday afternoon I suppose)