Shostakovich Symphony No. 5, 8, 9, Hamlet with BSO and Andris Nelsons

[relm1]

The next installment of the Shostakovich symphony cycle from Boston Symphony and Andris Nelsons is now available:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BIH5U1W/ref=s9_psimh_gw_g15_i4_r

Like the No. 10, it is an excellent interpretation that combines power, drama, humor/sarcasm, and lyricism with state of the art fidelity and an excellent performance by the BSO.  Though these are live performances, other than one tiny squeak the recording is immaculate. 

I would say the focus is on long term architecture rather than the individual moments.  For example, these are not overly melodramatic interpretations but more lyrical resulting in individual tensions or climaxes not lingering as much in my memory as say Kondrashin, Bernstein, Haitink, or Mravinsky.  But the overall impact is of a very moving performance with a great sense of catharsis.

I highly recommend this set.

[Karl Henning]

The next installment of the Shostakovich symphony cycle from Boston Symphony and Andris Nelsons is now available:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BIH5U1W/ref=s9_psimh_gw_g15_i4_r

Like the No. 10, it is an excellent interpretation that combines power, drama, humor/sarcasm, and lyricism with state of the art fidelity and an excellent performance by the BSO.  Though these are live performances, other than one tiny squeak the recording is immaculate. 

I would say the focus is on long term architecture rather than the individual moments.  For example, these are not overly melodramatic interpretations but more lyrical resulting in individual tensions or climaxes not lingering as much in my memory as say Kondrashin, Bernstein, Haitink, or Mravinsky.  But the overall impact is of a very moving performance with a great sense of catharsis.

I highly recommend this set.

Good to read.

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[Daverz]

It's on Tidal.  Only listened to 9 so far, but it was quite wonderful, and with richer sound than usual from DG.

[PerfectWagnerite]

I don't like the way they sensationalized the series by giving it stupid names like:

Shostakovich Under Stalin's Shadow

[Karl Henning]

I don't like the way they sensationalized the series by giving it stupid names like:

Shostakovich Under Stalin's Shadow

I quite agree; but it's all marketing. Just like the idea of doing a Shostakovich cycle.  Much as I love the music, the move struck me as unimaginative ... "look at what Petrenko's done in Liverpool ...."

Mind you, I fully count on our local band to make fine work of it.

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[kishnevi]

I don't like the way they sensationalized the series by giving it stupid names like:

Shostakovich Under Stalin's Shadow

Gergiev's partial cycle for Philips was issued as a set with the title War Symphonies even though it consisted of Numbers 4 through 9.

[Karl Henning]

Gergiev's partial cycle for Philips was issued as a set with the title War Symphonies even though it consisted of Numbers 4 through 9.

And the DVD, don't forget!  Shostakovich Against Stalin! The Grudge Match!

[asin]B000BLBZM0[/asin]

[PerfectWagnerite]

And the DVD, don't forget!  Shostakovich Against Stalin! The Grudge Match!

[asin]B000BLBZM0[/asin]

That is exactly the kind of BS that I am talking about. These jokers can't figure out how to sell their product in purely musical terms and have to resort to such gimmicks, it is actually pretty sad.

Shostakovich versus Stalin? Who are they kidding? If Stalin tells Shostakovich to drop his pants Shostakovich will bend over also.

[kishnevi]

That is exactly the kind of BS that I am talking about. These jokers can't figure out how to sell their product in purely musical terms and have to resort to such gimmicks, it is actually pretty sad.

Shostakovich versus Stalin? Who are they kidding? If Stalin tells Shostakovich to drop his pants Shostakovich will bend over also.

To be fair, the DVD is a documentary with only "extracts" from the symphonies.  The title is not so inappropriate as it is on a purely musical recording.

[kishnevi]

And although not titled, there is the DVD included here, on a similar theme