Shostakovich's Leningrad Symphony

[eyeresist]

Dana, in terms of sheer length, the 4th comes in at 60 minutes, next to the 7th's 71min and the 8th's 56min; the 11th is also 56min. These timings are taken from my Kondrashin set, except for the 11th conducted by Mravinsky (these are the performances I have on my PC).

Obviously there's more to it than timings: the 4th has two huge 26min outer movements surrounding a diminutive 8min centrepiece. This is probably the most discursive Shosty symphony; there is really a lot going on in the outer movements, a lot of themes and moods, compared to which I find even the 8th more structured and restrained. To my imagination, it's like a long journey by foot through a strange landscape at night. That's why, when I think of "sprawling", it's this symphony that first comes to mind.

Sorry to go off-topic like this, but if you like the symphonies of Shostakovich, I don't think you can afford to ignore this amazing work (which went unperformed for 25 years until the post-Stalin "thaw").

[techniquest]

I've been listening to the Leningrad for many years - as I have to most Shostakovich symphonies - and I would like to add another thumbs-up for the superb Berglund recording! I still have the original vinyl box-set that I bought back in my teens, though now I listen to the CD reissue which comes with his equally superb rendition of No.11.
I also have the Barshai (in the complete set - to my ears one of the weaker performances in the set); Kitajenko on SACD (from the complete set) Yablonsky on Naxos DVD-audio, and a rather good recording by Anton Nanut with the Ljubljana SO.

[Sean]

I also know the piece from the Bernstein- well inside the idiom and sensitive to the composer's circumstances.

Went to a Maxim Shostakovich performance in Birmingham 20 years back, which wasn't a great experience with his daft idea of excessively loud sound in the opening movement to try to frighten people: art works internally not externally.

Also got to an academic paper at the American Musicological Society a few years back on this work: I asked a question at the end about the misguided Bartok Conc for orch derisive quotes, and noted that the only seminar for the 20th century's greatest composer was deliberately scheduled on the Sunday morning when half the worthless post-tonal zombie academics had disrespectfully crept back to their crypts.

[Mirror Image]

An old thread that I think is worth reopening. I listened to Rozhdestvensky's 7th a bit earlier and I was blown away by how good it was. I've heard so many performances of this symphony, but this one from Rozhdestvensky and Lenny's CSO performance on DG are perhaps my two favorites now. I don't like performances that are soft-edged (Masur, Petrenko), which I think a lot of more Western performances are guilty of.

[Heck148]

What do you think of this work and do you have a favourite recording?

I love this work, and I've had the chance to perform it ...twice....very rewarding for the principal bassoonist!!
Yes, it certainly has its loud, stormy, bombastic parts, but when done well, it is most convincing....there are also some exquisite chamber-music-like passages in this huge symphony - reminiscent of Mahler. Some wonderful lengthy solos for principals, again, a typical Shostakovich trait...
Just for kicks - our contrabassoonist picked up a decibel meter on the cheap - and measured the sound levels at the conclusion of one of our concerts - 116-119 db!! - of course, that's with all the brass and percussion - timps, bass drum, everything - but that's some serious sound!! 

My favorite recording is Bernstein/CSO [paired with a great DS #1] - perhaps the finest recording of any symphony that I know....crank up the volume and let it rip - you'll think a Mark VI Tiger is about to plow thru your living room!! The conclusion has to be heard to be believed...can't imagine what the live performances were like..
We're going to hear BostonSO perform it this season with Nelsons - that should be a real treat.

I also like the historic Toscanini/NBC recording of 7/42...very fine, tho the NBCSO simply overwhelms the recording system at times..One of my teachers, Bill Polisi, was solo bassoon - great player...another interesting note - the delicious bass clarinet solo in mvt II recap - [over low register, ostinato flutes] was played by the great Al Gallodoro, the famous clarinet/saxophone artist who had such a long distinguished career...

[Mirror Image]

I love this work, and I've had the chance to perform it ...twice....very rewarding for the principal bassoonist!!
Yes, it certainly has its loud, stormy, bombastic parts, but when done well, it is most convincing....there are also some exquisite chamber-music-like passages in this huge symphony - reminiscent of Mahler. Some wonderful lengthy solos for principals, again, a typical Shostakovich trait...
Just for kicks - our contrabassoonist picked up a decibel meter on the cheap - and measured the sound levels at the conclusion of one of our concerts - 116-119 db!! - of course, that's with all the brass and percussion - timps, bass drum, everything - but that's some serious sound!! 

My favorite recording is Bernstein/CSO [paired with a great DS #1] - perhaps the finest recording of any symphony that I know....crank up the volume and let it rip - you'll think a Mark VI Tiger is about to plow thru your living room!! The conclusion has to be heard to be believed...can't imagine what the live performances were like..
We're going to hear BostonSO perform it this season with Nelsons - that should be a real treat.

I also like the historic Toscanini/NBC recording of 7/42...very fine, tho the NBCSO simply overwhelms the recording system at times..One of my teachers, Bill Polisi, was solo bassoon - great player...another interesting note - the delicious bass clarinet solo in mvt II recap - [over low register, ostinato flutes] was played by the great Al Gallodoro, the famous clarinet/saxophone artist who had such a long distinguished career...

That's awesome you've performed this work twice. I'd be curious to know whether you've heard the Rozhdestvensky performance or Kondrashin? Svetlanov's 7th (also on Melodiya) is next on my agenda.

[Mirror Image]

There's no denying the sheer power and poignancy of the 7th. Yes, as mentioned, it does have some rather violent moments, which I LOVE, but there are many heart-rendering moments like that Largo movement for example, especially after about 6-7 minutes in this lamenting string theme comes bursting through the orchestral fabric and creates a feeling of yearning and the way this particular section is treated and is resolved shows a Mahlerian influence. Anyway, I'm just more in awe of this symphony each time I hear it. I try my best not to overplay, which is something I want to really do, but with music I love, I'm going to resist the urge.

https://www.youtube.com/v/tnSeDHuabDM

The lamenting string theme I was referring to occurs in this particular performance (Svetlanov) at the 6:54 mark. This section never fails to move me.

[Heck148]

That's awesome you've performed this work twice. I'd be curious to know whether you've heard the Rozhdestvensky performance or Kondrashin? Svetlanov's 7th (also on Melodiya) is next on my agenda.

I heard Kondrashin's, years ago...one of my fist exposures....don't remember it too well...
I'm sure both Kondrashin and Rozh'sky do a good job with it, they're both great conductors.

[Mirror Image]

I heard Kondrashin's, years ago...one of my fist exposures....don't remember it too well...
I'm sure both Kondrashin and Rozh'sky do a good job with it, they're both great conductors.

I can't firmly recommend Kondrashin because of the audio quality. I mean it's serviceable, but that's about it. Rozhdestvensky sounds like it was recorded at Abbey Road Studios by comparison.

[Heck148]

I can't firmly recommend Kondrashin because of the audio quality. I mean it's serviceable, but that's about it. Rozhdestvensky sounds like it was recorded at Abbey Road Studios by comparison.

When was the Rozh'sky recorded?? That might have been the one I heard - late 60s or so??

[Mirror Image]

When was the Rozh'sky recorded?? That might have been the one I heard - late 60s or so??

Let's see the Rozhdestvensky was recorded in the 80s as was his entire cycle (if I'm not mistaken as I haven't looked at the actual specific dates).

[Heck148]

Let's see the Rozhdestvensky was recorded in the 80s as was his entire cycle (if I'm not mistaken as I haven't looked at the actual specific dates).

OK, it was not Rozh'sky, might have been Svetlanov [recorded on Melodiya, IIRC].

[Mirror Image]

OK, it was not Rozh'sky, might have been Svetlanov [recorded on Melodiya, IIRC].

Well, Svetlanov, Mravinsky, and Kondrashin were all recorded on the Melodiya label (as was Rozhdestvensky). It very well could have been Kondrashin you heard as the early Svetlanov 7th is a bit harder to track down (his performance was recorded in '68 IIRC). Of course, Svetlanov recorded the 7th several times, but those come from later in his career (one in the late 70s and another one in the 90s? --- I'll have to double check).

[Heck148]

Probably Svetlanov '68....it wa sso long ago......