Mieczysław Weinberg (1919-1996)

[relm1]

I am thinking of traversing all the symphonies of Weinberg in chronological order but was surprised there are a few that have never been recorded (performed?).  Does anyone know why No. 9, 11, 15 aren't available at all?  Perhaps they exist in noncommercial recordings?

[DavidW]

I am thinking of traversing all the symphonies of Weinberg in chronological order but was surprised there are a few that have never been recorded (performed?).  Does anyone know why No. 9, 11, 15 aren't available at all?  Perhaps they exist in noncommercial recordings?

I think the Chandos and Naxos projects are ongoing.  We're living in the time where Weinberg's works are currently being categorically recorded.  I know it is such an odd thought that there would be music still left on the table in 2024, but surprisingly there are loads of music still being recorded or have not been recorded yet.

[Maestro267]

Been a while since we've had a new symphony on record. And I'm sure we've had a few Twelfths since then.

[DavidW]

The New York Times featured Weinberg this week:

Has a Neglected Soviet-Era Composer's Time Finally Come?

[Karl Henning]

The New York Times featured Weinberg this week:

Has a Neglected Soviet-Era Composer's Time Finally Come?

Sweet!

[71 dB]

The New York Times featured Weinberg this week:

Has a Neglected Soviet-Era Composer's Time Finally Come?

At least Weinberg has become less neglected in the 21st century. I take the wins when I can. The real question is when does Dittersdorf's time come?   

[Maestro267]

I'd argue it's been here for near-on a decade at this point. Although as always it depends on how we define it. Are we talking about works being programmed in concert halls or works being recorded commercially and released?

[71 dB]

I'd argue it's been here for near-on a decade at this point. Although as always it depends on how we define it. Are we talking about works being programmed in concert halls or works being recorded commercially and released?

I'd say things are looking pretty damn good for Weinberg when even people who are not into classical music or are just casual listeners of classical music (e.g. Mozart as background music while doing yoga) have heard his name the same way people know Shostakovich.

[lunar22]

I am thinking of traversing all the symphonies of Weinberg in chronological order but was surprised there are a few that have never been recorded (performed?).  Does anyone know why No. 9, 11, 15 aren't available at all?  Perhaps they exist in noncommercial recordings?

none of these have been recorded. It seems that Mirga Grazinte-Tyla was interested but then the pandemic and having a baby got in the way so she's a bit less active than previously. Still, according to David Fanning, the 9th is a major achievement and should have the highest priority. All the remaining symphonies are choral which of course increases the demands on recording. No. 13 was the last to be recorded -- and it's among the bleakest and most fascinating in the entire cycle.

[Karl Henning]

Has any Weinberg been programmed by any major US orchestra? Offhand, I should think that Andris Nelsons and Boston might be the best fit, but if they're fixin' to program any Weinberg, I haven't heard. Might be difficult, since they've been preoccupied with a Shostakovich cycle, so there may not be much more oxygen in the Hall for more Soviet-era music.

[lunar22]

the only thing I can see in the USA is the Moldavian Rhapsody in Atlanta - hardly a major Weinberg work. In German-speaking countries, there's quite a lot currently, most importantly a production of "The Idiot" in Salzburg which is just a bit too far for me to go (though I did make it to Munich for "The Passenger" last season.

[Mapman]

Has any Weinberg been programmed by any major US orchestra?

Detroit performed his Cello Concerto this season. (Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend.)

[Symphonic Addict]

A new recording of the Trumpet Concerto. To be released on November 8th:



- M. Weinberg: Trumpet Concerto
- C. Schönberger: Trumpet Concerto
- S. Rachmaninoff: Vocalise
- A. Goedicke: Concert Etude, op. 49

[Roy Bland]

I would like to read an in-depth analysis of the trumpet concerto. May you suggest anything about it?

[Roy Bland]

Naxos is recording with Tyumen Philharmonic Orchestra Artistic director and chief conductor – Yuri Medyanik Program: Mieczyslawa Weinberg Concertino for cello and orchestra (1948) Concerto for cello and orchestra, Op. 43 (1945-48) Polish tunes. Suite for symphony orchestra, Op. 47 (1950) Fantasia for cello and orchestra, Op. 52 (1951-53) Soloist – Nikolai Shugaev (cello)

[Brian]

The New York Philharmonic will play Weinberg's Fifth Symphony in February 2026. Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla will conduct the Tallis Fantasia and John Williams' piano concerto (with Emanuel Ax) on the same program.

[Karl Henning]

The New York Philharmonic will play Weinberg's Fifth Symphony in February 2026. Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla will conduct the Tallis Fantasia and John Williams' piano concerto (with Emanuel Ax) on the same program.

Pretending that the concerto is of comparable weight is a heavy lift.

[Brian]

Pretending that the concerto is of comparable weight is a heavy lift.

You can judge for yourself at the Tanglewood world premiere. Or, perhaps, tangentially, by listening to the Tanglewood premiere of a recent violin concerto.

[T. D.]

Pretending that the concerto is of comparable weight is a heavy lift.

No doubt the programming device of mixing something "popular" (WIlliams) with something "obscure" or "difficult" (Weinberg).
When I lived in the NYC area, the NYPO audience was rather conservative and I doubt things have changed too much.

[Brian]

What's interesting about that is that the concert works by JW that I have heard are frequently tuneless, colorless, and tedious, rather than the popular fireworks you would expect.