What is the best recording of Shostakovich Symphony No. 10? The first Shostakovich I ever heard was Karajan's recording of the 10th, the 1981 version, so that one always sounds "right" to me. However, I've listened to others which have made various impressions. The Haitink sounds like it should be good, but doesn't do it for me for inexplicable reasons. Jarvi's recording has a lot going for it, Janson's is more or less in the Haitink catagory for me, and I've just listened to the Rostropovich/LSO on Teldec, which has some moments of brilliant insight, but I get the impression that it does not hang together as well as it could.
In any case, what is the best, in your opinion?
Karajan 1981 you already know.
Karajan 1967 is fiercer and sharper; I find it hard to decide between it and the above.
Karajan 1969 live is the kind of thing that you (or at least I) 'worry' might blow a hole through the wall opposite your speakers, nigh-unbelievably intense, but the sound is worse than the either studio recording.
Mitropoulos 1954 is very hard to find, but likely the best Shostakovich 10th I've heard not by Karajan.
Mravinsky via the Warner set is also superb, simmering with (Mravinskian, restrained) passion.
Mravinsky via Melodiya has somewhat harsher sound, if I recall correctly, and should be somewhat faster, if comparable.
Kondrashin's I don't remember too well, but I do remember it was a little rough around the edges, by comparison to the above, without having that very last ounce of total conviction that Mitropoulos, also a bit rough, provides.
I have Järvi somewhere, but caught in the Great CD Storage Crisis of 2009-10, and currently still AWOL, unopened. :(
Jansons hasn't made an impression deep enough to warrant comparison with the above, and though Haitink is technically very sharp, and Shostakovich Jr. is quite affecting, neither (IMO) is in the same league as Mravinsky et al. in this piece.
I strangely can't remember how Barshai's compares to the rest, making me wonder if I've actually ever spun it. And Rostropovich I used to have, but it got misplaced before I had a chance to listen past the 4th, and is currently rather far away...
All in all, if you count recording quality, it'd be a coin-toss between Mravinsky (Warner), and either studio Karajan for me; the three Karajans, Mravinsky and Mitropoulos otherwise. It goes without saying that if you want me to elaborate on something, I'll be happy to.
(I'm just not too keen on unleashing walls of text without knowing the general level of detail desired.)
Karajan is good, but I feel that he sort of "Bruckner-izes" it, emphasizes the cataclysmic aspects over the sarcasm, at times.
Now that you mention it, it is a scandal that I don't have the Mravinsky recording on Erato. I have the 5 from the same series and found it unbelievable, I must pick it up. For a while I remember it being hard to find, but it seems to be in print and widely available now.
One other 10 that didn't do it for me was the Ancerl issued on DG originals. Everyone praises it to the heavens, but to me it was dull.
I like Ormandy, my recording (http://www.amazon.com/Dmitri-Shostakovich-Symphonies-Nos-10/dp/B0000029QE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1273373161&sr=1-2) pairs #4 with #10 and it is one of my favorite Shostakovich recordings.
I'm still waiting for the Svetlanov on CD. Since it seems every note he ever recorded is being dumped to CD at a frightening rate, it should be any day now. In the meantime here's a transfer (http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=8382bfaaee01fbb6ab1eab3e9fa335caba7b867eec39ccd0)from an Angel/Melodiya Lp (not an HMV pressing, I'm afraid, but still OK sounding.)
I like Karel Ančerl.
Karajan might be alright but far from the best, pretty good though, better than usual for him. My impressions are from the "Karajan Gold" recording.
Ancerl and Kondrashin deliver potent performances. Unfortunately Kondrashin's SQ is not that good, so Ancerl it is. Honestly though there are alot of terrific performances as long as the conductor doesn't wallow in beauty of sound like Karajan, play it super slow like Litton, or make it sound over-romanticized like Ormandy, it works for me.
And actually I'm quite satisfied with Barshai! :D
I have trouble dealing in "bests", but one of my favorites is certainly the Sanderling/BSO. Others I've enjoyed are Previn/LSO, Shipway/RPO, De Preist/HPO, and the aforementioned Järvi/SNO and Karajan/BPO/'82. Whether it be compelling performance or thrilling sound, all have something to recommend them.
I've yet to hear the vaunted Mravinsky or Mitropolous. IIRC, my introduction to the work was a Melodiya LP with the USSR Symphony Orchestra conducted by Svetlanov.
Never made it passed the classic Karajan.
Never made it passed Stokowski in 11.
Quote from: Franco on May 08, 2010, 06:45:37 PM
I like Ormandy, my recording (http://www.amazon.com/Dmitri-Shostakovich-Symphonies-Nos-10/dp/B0000029QE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1273373161&sr=1-2) pairs #4 with #10 and it is one of my favorite Shostakovich recordings.
Ditto!! Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra! :)
I haven't yet heard one which clearly blew away the competition.
Karajan II was my intro to the work. It did convince me this was an awesomely great symphony, which is a point in its favor. Haven't heard Karajan I.
Järvi is all-around excellent, with more fire than one usually gets from this conductor.
Mravinsky/Melodiya has the usual Mravinsky intensity, but is a live recording with not-so-great sonics and execution. Still, it does grab you by the throat.
I just got Skrowaczewski. First impression is that it's a very good "central" performance, but the orchestra isn't as powerful as it should be.
Ancerl is a good performance overall, but I think it's been overpraised - not enough blood and grit.
Quote from: Renfield on May 08, 2010, 06:15:52 PM
Karajan 1969 live is the kind of thing that you (or at least I) 'worry' might blow a hole through the wall opposite your speakers, nigh-unbelievably intense, but the sound is worse than the either studio recording.
All in all, if you count recording quality, it'd be a coin-toss between Mravinsky (Warner), and either studio Karajan for me; the three Karajans, Mravinsky and Mitropoulos otherwise. It goes without saying that if you want me to elaborate on something, I'll be happy to.
(I'm just not too keen on unleashing walls of text without knowing the general level of detail desired.)
More comments on 1969 Karajan live in Moscow on Melodiya please.
Apparently, the BPO played 200% of its capacity - an overwhelming concert in Mariss Jansons ears.
(Apologies for the delay - an exam got in the way.)
Quote from: MichaelRabin on May 10, 2010, 02:32:48 PM
More comments on 1969 Karajan live in Moscow on Melodiya please.
Apparently, the BPO played 200% of its capacity - an overwhelming concert in Mariss Jansons ears.
I think the part in bold sums it up perfectly. It's the 1967 studio recording, only on fairly literal overdrive.
The reading is similar in outline to the '67, following the generally Brucknerised (as well-encapsulated by
Scarpia) aesthetic that Karajan brought to the piece, and significantly more top-heavy than the approach of the later digital version; only, to take a tangential cue, the Moscow recording is like Barbirolli's live Bruckner 8th on BBC Legends, one long, hard-driven crescendo of total intensity.
And much like that Bruckner 8th, it's not a recording I'd want to have
alone. It's not a reference version, but more of a special, powerful and draining kind of recording to listen to once in a while and remember what can be done with (to?) this symphony.
Thus, this is for those interested in a) historic recordings of the work, b) historical performances by Karajan, and/or c) a Shostakovich 10th phrased and played in a manner committed entirely to every ounce of violence and volatility one can draw out of this score.
Edit: On a Karajan-irrelevant note, I have the feeling I might have that
Svetlanov mentioned above in that infamous stack of unopened recordings from last year... I'll have a look when I search for his Brahms cycle that I certainly have, next week.
Thanks Renfield for your extensive reply.
Two recordings appear to have slipped through the cracks. Polyansky's account of the 10th Symphony is a worthwhile performance indeed, although I admit I bought the disk for the "filler item" - a rare chance to hear DSCH's unfinished slapstick musical, "The Great Lightning".
But is nobody going to mention Haitink, at all? >:( I know he's a conductor who produces polarised opinions, but he has the measure of the 10th, and more to spare, IMHO. It's a gripping reading of the piece with the LPO - it's been unavailable for quite some time, I believe?
Even so, if I was being set adrift in an open boat for my sins, with only a solar-powered mp3-player for company, then I'd want Mravinsky. You need the sound of Russian brass (they play on substantially different instruments) in this repertoire, and the BPO just don't cut it for me. Oh, and I have lifetime allergy to Karajan, but that's another issue ;)
Quote from: False_Dmitry on May 15, 2010, 03:44:37 PMBut is nobody going to mention Haitink, at all? >:( I know he's a conductor who produces polarised opinions, but he has the measure of the 10th, and more to spare, IMHO. It's a gripping reading of the piece with the LPO - it's been unavailable for quite some time, I believe?
Even so, if I was being set adrift in an open boat for my sins, with only a solar-powered mp3-player for company, then I'd want Mravinsky.
I mentioned Haitink in the first post of the thread. My copy of the Mravinsky/Lenningrad (a love recording from the 70's, issued by Erato) just arrived today.
Quote from: Scarpia on May 15, 2010, 08:26:45 PM
I mentioned Haitink in the first post of the thread. My copy of the Mravinsky/Lenningrad (a love recording from the 70's, issued by Erato) just arrived today.
Aha, missed your earlier Haitink mention. But you now have the best one, so you can pack all the others away ;)
Quote from: Josquin des Prez on May 08, 2010, 09:10:40 PM
I like Karel Ančerl.
Me too. It is on DGG. I also like Previn's (especially the slower tempo of the manic second movement - an interesting take on it). Mitropoulos delivers a towering performance - probably my favourite.
Quote from: Renfield on May 14, 2010, 09:10:34 AM
I might have that Svetlanov mentioned above in that infamous stack of unopened recordings from last year...
On CD or Lp?
Quote from: Daverz on May 16, 2010, 05:01:17 PM
On CD or Lp?
CD - I'm not
quite old enough for the latter! And I've just confirmed remotely, I have the 1st, 5th and 7th. So no Svetlanov 10th.
The First Karajan is my personal choice. The second is also very fine, but somehow I prefer the less slick, less smoothed out earlier version. The playing in both is of course superlative.
Quote from: Scarpia on May 15, 2010, 08:26:45 PM
My copy of the Mravinsky/Lenningrad (a love recording from the 70's, issued by Erato) just arrived today.
Yes, I love that disc as well....... ;)
I'd like to put my grubby paws on this one
http://www.russiandvd.com/store/product.asp?sku=39949&genreid=
(unfortunately only disc one can be previewed i.e. streamed complete)
As for favorites, nothing very original: Ancerl and Mravinsky (Erato)
Quote from: Drasko on May 17, 2010, 02:21:40 PM
I'd like to put my grubby paws on this one
http://www.russiandvd.com/store/product.asp?sku=39949&genreid=
(unfortunately only disc one can be previewed i.e. streamed complete)
I'd shop around. I got it from BRO, who still have it for $10 (http://berkshirerecordoutlet.com/search.php?row=0&brocode=135550&stocknum=&submit=Find+Item&text=&filter=all). While you're at it, you might want to pick up Dmitri and his friend Vainberg (http://berkshirerecordoutlet.com/search.php?row=0&brocode=133268&stocknum=&submit=Find+Item&text=&filter=all) playing the piano duo arrangement. I wish Sony/BMG would do a modern remastering of the Mitropoulos studio recording, but they seem to have forgotten him.
I don't think I have any bad recordings of this work, still my favorite Shostakovich symphony. Ormandy, Ancerl, Mitropoulos (Odyssey Lp), Ashkenazy, and Previn/LPO are all good, and I've already mentioned the Svetlanov. Still have several in my collection that I need to get around to listening/relistening to. Firing up Kitajenko from his set now.
Quote from: Daverz on May 17, 2010, 02:26:34 PM
I'd shop around. I got it from BRO, who still have it for $10 (http://berkshirerecordoutlet.com/search.php?row=0&brocode=135550&stocknum=&submit=Find+Item&text=&filter=all). I wish Sony/BMG would do a modern remastering of the Mitropoulos studio recording, but they seem to have forgotten him.
Wow, that's a bargain, I have to see if I can get that. How is the sound quality? Urania always brings up worst expectations but stream from russiandvd site didn't sound that bad.
Sony Greece with some Greek newspaper released recently 20 CD Dimitri Mitropoulos - Retrospective. Don't know all contents and whether it involved any remastering but I'm guessing it should include that studio Shostakovich 10. I'll check if I get hold of it.
Quote from: Drasko on May 17, 2010, 02:42:30 PM
Wow, that's a bargain, I have to see if I can get that. How is the sound quality? Urania always brings up worst expectations but stream from russiandvd site didn't sound that bad.
Well, it's live broadcast sound (mono) with plenty of audience noise. I'll try sampling it a bit later today.
UPDATE: the audience is pretty bronchial (a cold October in Athens or lost of people smoking harsh cigarettes?), and there are some chair squeaks. It sounds heavily gain ridden, not much dynamic range. Otherwise, it's quite listenable, and the NYP really sounds great.
Quote
Sony Greece with some Greek newspaper released recently 20 CD Dimitri Mitropoulos - Retrospective. Don't know all contents and whether it involved any remastering but I'm guessing it should include that studio Shostakovich 10. I'll check if I get hold of it.
I googled around and could only find info on the first 10 CDs (box 1 and 2), which do not have the Shostakovich 10.
Quote from: Drasko on May 17, 2010, 02:42:30 PM
Sony Greece with some Greek newspaper released recently 20 CD Dimitri Mitropoulos - Retrospective. Don't know all contents and whether it involved any remastering but I'm guessing it should include that studio Shostakovich 10. I'll check if I get hold of it.
Interesting, and unexpected. Maybe
Wanderer knows more?
I'd call my parents, but they're not liable to have noted something like this, however much they're aware of his general reputation, etc.
Quote from: Renfield on May 17, 2010, 03:38:09 PM
I'd call my parents, but they're not liable to have noted something like this, however much they're aware of his general reputation, etc.
I don't know why, but reading this seemed surprising... (that your parents (thought not, specifically, you/your parents personally) listen to classical music as well, not to mention even know who the name of a conductor). If they're musicians, though, that wouldn't be as shocking...
(My favorite Shosty 10 is Rozhdestvensky, i think, though i haven't heard many recordings).
Quote from: Greg on May 17, 2010, 05:12:55 PM
I don't know why, but reading this seemed surprising... (that your parents (thought not, specifically, you/your parents personally) listen to classical music as well, not to mention even know who the name of a conductor). If they're musicians, though, that wouldn't be as shocking...
(My favorite Shosty 10 is Rozhdestvensky, i think, though i haven't heard many recordings).
Actually, they do not. They are acquainted with classical music, and my mother certainly enjoys the more serious fare (late Bruckner, Mahler, Beethoven, Bach) when I put on a CD I've brought for her to hear, but neither are particular fans of classical music; my mother prefers paintings, and my father prefers a good non-fiction book.
But their general education, and my constant erstwhile ranting, are enough for them to have heard of Mitropoulos! ;)
(Indeed, my grandfather was a friend of Xenakis, though far from a musician himself. Greece is a small country.)
P.S.: I haven't heard Rozhdestvensky in this piece! I feel I should rectify this.
Quote from: Renfield on May 17, 2010, 05:53:41 PM
Actually, they do not. They are acquainted with classical music, and my mother certainly enjoys the more serious fare (late Bruckner, Mahler, Beethoven, Bach) when I put on a CD I've brought for her to hear, but neither are particular fans of classical music; my mother prefers paintings, and my father prefers a good non-fiction book.
But their general education, and my constant erstwhile ranting, are enough for them to have heard of Mitropoulos! ;)
Ah, I see. :D
Sounds like you do the same thing as I do every now and then- I might make my mom listen to some music every now and then- the only honestly impressed reactions I've gotten were Mahler 7 ("inspirational") and the Adagio of his 9th ("extremely beautiful"). I don't even try with my dad- it's pointless. And with anything "weird" sounding, even more so...
Quote from: Renfield on May 17, 2010, 05:53:41 PM
(Indeed, my grandfather was a friend of Xenakis, though far from a musician himself. Greece is a small country.)
:o
Still, though, what are the odds? Not to mention I'd imagine Xenakis lived in France probably more than in Greece...
Quote from: Renfield on May 17, 2010, 05:53:41 PM
P.S.: I haven't heard Rozhdestvensky in this piece! I feel I should rectify this.
You know, I think my recording
might be his... but not 100% sure. I had burned the CDs years of the complete symphony cycle years ago, and I thought it was his cycle, but I could be wrong.
I also have Levi's, which kinda sucks... and am very pleased with Dudamel's video on youtube- that's about all of the recordings of this symphony I'm familiar with.
Quote from: Greg on May 17, 2010, 07:35:03 PM
:o
Still, though, what are the odds? Not to mention I'd imagine Xenakis lived in France probably more than in Greece...
The reason they knew each other was the reason he left Greece - they were both fought with the (political) Left in the civil war. Only my grandfather was lucky enough to be a dentist, so he was one of those
not sentenced to death.
As for my mother (his daughter, incidentally), she has loved every bit of Bruckner I've played for her, and every bit of Mahler, though she claims she can't really stomach him on anything other than a very happy day. She's also fond of Beethoven.
But I think what most strongly made her stop trying to convince me that 'there's more music than classical' (which is ironic, as I do listen to a lot more music than classical, even if it's mostly as unconventional) was my dragging her to a Proms performance of the St John Passion by Gardiner and co. She still hasn't gotten over her awe of both Bach, and John Eliot Gardiner!
Going back on topic, I heard the Proms Dudamel performance on the (e-)radio when he gave that concert. Much like his recording of the Tchaikovsky 5, it's very impressive in its own way; even if (obviously) not at the Mravinsky level.
Maybe now is a good time to post this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZbJOE9zNjw
Quote from: Josquin des Prez on May 08, 2010, 09:10:40 PM
I like Karel Ančerl.
Right on. I thought that Ancerl's performance perfectly expressed the paranoia that Shostakovich wanted to convey. It certainly scared the hell out of me.
I was fortunate enough to have arrived in Toronto at the time that Karel Ancerl became principal conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Martinu's Double Concerto for two string orchestras, piano and timpani was performed at one of the concerts that I attended.
The Ančerl is very nice. I need to queue it up again soon . . . .
Karajan 1967
I'll cross-post here a write-up I left elsewhere. This November I indulged in Shostakovich's Tenth and listened to about a dozen different recordings...
Quote from: Brian on December 12, 2010, 04:40:39 AM
Haven't got many cycles, just Barshai in fact, but I've heard quite a few Tenths in the past 6 weeks and would rank them in this order:
(No 10)
=outstanding [these top three can change places depending on my mood]=
1. Petrenko/Liverpool (sometimes the first movement strikes me as fast, but most of the time it doesn't. Outstanding in every way, plus sound quality is the best on the market)
2. Jansons/Philadelphia (a lot like Petrenko, but a couple details short of perfection: muddled final bars, less fierce third-movement climax)
3. Sanderling/Berlin SO (sound is dated, sure, but the playing superb and first movement intensely slow; very different from Petrenko and Jansons)
=very, very good=
4. Karajan 80s (knocked out of the top 3 because of balance issues in the final bars; otherwise terrific)
5. Barshai (good, but doesn't "get" me like the others)
=flawed in some way=
6. Skrowaczewski/Halle (as Velimir said, orchestra is slightly underpowered. Middle of the road)
7. Haitink/LPO (just don't get the praise for this. Patchy conducting with "live performance" issues in the playing quality)
8. M. Shostakovich, LSO (low-energy; probably the Supraphon is better?)
=unacceptable=
9. Kitajenko (though his third movement is in the top 3, the finale is very plain, bordering on dull)
10. Wigglesworth (good playing but the sound is far too low-level)
I recently auditioned the scherzo from Ancerl's legendary performance and, despite my love for Ancerl and high expectations, found it a major letdown. It's so fast it loses a lot of intensity. Petrenko and Karajan are best there.
The ends of the first movements of 5, 6, and 10 are all different angles on that same insight.
From what's been discussed in this thread, I very clearly need to hear the Mravinsky and the first Karajan recording.
In my view Kurt Sanderling is one of the great underrated conductors. I seem to recall there is a remastered DSCH set in Japan, if sound is an issue.
Sound, in a different meaning of the word, is a big issue in the Karajan recordings - everything he does sounds like DG Karajan, not like DSCH
Looks like those Japanese remasterings only come in seperate issues:
http://www.hmv.co.jp/en/product/detail/2582454
Quote from: Brian on December 29, 2010, 01:04:29 AM
I'll cross-post here a write-up I left elsewhere. This November I indulged in Shostakovich's Tenth and listened to about a dozen different recordings...
And a few indifferent ones as well it seems.....