Mieczysław Weinberg (1919-1996)

[kyjo]

Anyone else here an admirer of Weinberg's Symphony no. 3 (recorded by Chandos)? It's decidedly more Romantic in feel than most of his music that I've heard. I love the magical opening - it reminds me of an updated version of the opening of Tchaikovsky's Symphony no. 1. If I recall correctly, the ending of the first movement is reprised at the end of the work - a spellbinding moment.

https://youtu.be/MonyQhLY0Qo

[asin]B004SVNIGK[/asin]

[Mirror Image]

It's a fantastic symphony, Kyle. Love it! I'd say my favorite Weinberg symphony, however, is the 5th.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

A new challenger to Linus Roth on Challenge in the VC.

[relm1]

Anyone else here an admirer of Weinberg's Symphony no. 3 (recorded by Chandos)? It's decidedly more Romantic in feel than most of his music that I've heard. I love the magical opening - it reminds me of an updated version of the opening of Tchaikovsky's Symphony no. 1. If I recall correctly, the ending of the first movement is reprised at the end of the work - a spellbinding moment.

https://youtu.be/MonyQhLY0Qo

[asin]B004SVNIGK[/asin]

I hadn't heard this symphony before but that was gorgeous!  Thanks for recommending. 

[kyjo]

I hadn't heard this symphony before but that was gorgeous!  Thanks for recommending.

[vandermolen]

Anyone else here an admirer of Weinberg's Symphony no. 3 (recorded by Chandos)? It's decidedly more Romantic in feel than most of his music that I've heard. I love the magical opening - it reminds me of an updated version of the opening of Tchaikovsky's Symphony no. 1. If I recall correctly, the ending of the first movement is reprised at the end of the work - a spellbinding moment.

https://youtu.be/MonyQhLY0Qo

[asin]B004SVNIGK[/asin]

Yes,yes,yes - great work! (Symphony 3). I also like symphonies 1,5 (his masterpiece I think) and 6 as well as the eloquent Piano Quintet.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

Classical CD Of The Week:
Murray McLachlan, The Early Weinberg-Champion, Still Shines

...my Weinberg-boat is most clearly rocked by wonderfully gruff McLachlan.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenslaurson/2018/04/11/classical-cd-of-the-week-murray-mclachlan-the-early-weinberg-champion-still-shines/#ef59236cec01

[Baron Scarpia]

Yes,yes,yes - great work! (Symphony 3). I also like symphonies 1,5 (his masterpiece I think) and 6 as well as the eloquent Piano Quintet.

Fantatic. And the Ballet is also a very fine work. The only irritation, relatively short program on that CD.

[PaulR]

Weinberg's Solo Double Bass Sonata Op. 108 will be performed at Tanglewood this summer by Edwin Barker.  Might have to see that...

[Karl Henning]

Trés cool.

[kyjo]

If we were to start a thread on "creepiest openings", that of Weinberg's 5th Symphony would surely be a prime candidate!

[vandermolen]

If we were to start a thread on "creepiest openings", that of Weinberg's 5th Symphony would surely be a prime candidate!

I love that opening - and the closing for that matter. I think that it's the only symphony, along with Popov's First Symphony I know which bears comparison with Shostakovich's cataclysmic 4th Symphony.

[Maestro267]

I love that opening - and the closing for that matter. I think that it's the only symphony, along with Popov's First Symphony I know which bears comparison with Shostakovich's cataclysmic 4th Symphony.

Well that's got my attention right away!

[vandermolen]

Well that's got my attention right away!

Oh, it's a fine work which you should hear if you don't know it.

Just listened to his Piano Quintet which I think is one of his greatest works (Olympia).

[Mirror Image]

I love that opening - and the closing for that matter. I think that it's the only symphony, along with Popov's First Symphony I know which bears comparison with Shostakovich's cataclysmic 4th Symphony.

Don't tell anyone this, but...[in whispering voice] I like Weinberg's 5th better than Shostakovich's 4th. There...I feel better now.

[vandermolen]

Don't tell anyone this, but...[in whispering voice] I like Weinberg's 5th better than Shostakovich's 4th. There...I feel better now.

Haha - and why not?
Popov's 1st is pretty sensational as well.
I like the Weinberg just as much as both of them.

[Mirror Image]

Haha - and why not?
Popov's 1st is pretty sensational as well.
I like the Weinberg just as much as both of them.

For me, the slow movement (Adagio sostenuto) from Weinberg's 5th is enough to catapult this symphony into the hierarchy of greatest Soviet Russian symphonies. This movement haunts me for days after hearing it, so I have to be ready for this anytime I listen to it.

[vandermolen]

For me, the slow movement (Adagio sostenuto) from Weinberg's 5th is enough to catapult this symphony into the hierarchy of greatest Soviet Russian symphonies. This movement haunts me for days after hearing it, so I have to be ready for this anytime I listen to it.

+1
I love the beginning and end as well.

[Maestro267]

I picked up the Naxos recording of Symphony No. 12 today. Just finished listening to it. I've heard a few of his symphonies now (Nos. 8, 12, 17 & 18) and it's clear to me that his soundworld is far more intimate than, say, Shostakovich and Prokofiev, who prefer (in the main) far thicker and heavier textures. With Weinberg, it's almost like chamber music, even though he often deploys sizable orchestral forces.

[vandermolen]

I picked up the Naxos recording of Symphony No. 12 today. Just finished listening to it. I've heard a few of his symphonies now (Nos. 8, 12, 17 & 18) and it's clear to me that his soundworld is far more intimate than, say, Shostakovich and Prokofiev, who prefer (in the main) far thicker and heavier textures. With Weinberg, it's almost like chamber music, even though he often deploys sizable orchestral forces.

You must hear No.5 - his greatest I think, although not on Naxos.