Poll
Question:
What are your (can pick up to 5) favourite Shostakovich symphonies, currently?
Option 1: 1 in F minor, Op.10
Option 2: 2 in B major, Op.14
Option 3: 3 in E flat major, Op.20
Option 4: 4 in C minor, Op.43
Option 5: 5 in D minor, Op.47
Option 6: 6 in B minor, Op.54
Option 7: 7 in C major, Op.60 'Leningrad'
Option 8: 8 in C minor, Op.65
Option 9: 9 in E flat major, Op.70
Option 10: 10 in E minor, Op.93
Option 11: 11 in G minor, Op.103 'The Year 1905'
Option 12: 12 in D minor, Op.112 'The Year 1917 - To the memory of Lenin'
Option 13: 13 in B flat minor, Op.113 'Babi Yar'
Option 14: 14 - Op.135
Option 15: 15 in A major, Op.141
Commence your votes. You can chose up to 5, max. After a year or so, I can reset it to zero and see if things change.
4, 5, 8 and 10 for me. :)
1,4,5,11,13
Not sure about the order, but these are the five.
In numerical order: 5, 8, 10, 11, 12
Quote from: DavidW on July 21, 2011, 11:34:06 AM
4, 5, 8 and 10 for me. :)
Only four picks, David? ;D
I am waiting for someone to eventually vote for 2 and 3...
1, 4, 5, 6, 10.
1, 5, 7, 10, 11.
Quote from: ChamberNut on July 21, 2011, 11:39:37 AM
Only four picks, David? ;D
Those are the top tier. Second tier is 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15. Third tier is 1, 6, 12 and fourth tier is 2, 3. :)
Quote from: DavidW on July 21, 2011, 11:47:22 AM
... and fourth tier is 2, 3. :)
Down there it is no longer called "tier" but basement.
Quote from: DavidW on July 21, 2011, 11:47:22 AM
Those are the top tier. Second tier is 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15. Third tier is 1, 6, 12 and fourth tier is 2, 3. :)
2nd tier - 4, 6, 7, 9, 15
3rd tier - 1, 2, 3, 13, 14
4,5,6,7,8
Quote from: springrite on July 21, 2011, 11:48:19 AM
Down there it is no longer called "tier" but basement.
:D True. ;D
4,8,10,11,15 - but I'd have liked to have selected 7 and then 1 also.
Quote from: vandermolen on July 21, 2011, 12:46:09 PM
4,8,10,11,15 - but I'd have liked to have selected 7 and then 1 also.
Yes, I could have set the vote at 12, but that wouldn't make it very interesting. :D
Quote from: ChamberNut on July 21, 2011, 12:47:23 PM
Yes, I could have set the vote at 12, but that wouldn't make it very interesting. :D
Yes, it would. We will find out which symphony will be left in the company of #2 and #3. ;D
Quote from: springrite on July 21, 2011, 12:51:19 PM
Yes, it would. We will find out which symphony will be left in the company of #2 and #3. ;D
Well, right now that looks to be the 9th. That is too bad, I really like this one (it's in my 2nd tier). Yet, it is so overshadowed by the the surrounding 7, 8, 10 and 11.
It is the Greek Maiden between 4 Norse Gods. Like Beethoven's 4th is between the 5th and 6th. :D
1-5-7-10-13. Specially the 13 so dark.
4, 5, 10
But what's that thing doing there - F minor, B major, Eb major, etc ? Did Shostakovich really spell out key signatures for all his symphonies?
I thought they had already gotten over that practice during Shostakovich's time.
I know, once in a while you get a modern composer do that too. When I see a key signature after a title of a modern piece, about 75% of my interest to listen to it immediately disappears.
In order: 10-4-7-13-5
4 7 8 10 11
second tier for me would be 1 5 6 9 14
third tier 2 3 12 13 15-- 2 and 3 are interesting failures in my book, and 12, 13, and 15 don't move me in the way his other symphonies do.
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on July 21, 2011, 03:38:49 PM
4 7 8 10 11
second tier for me would be 1 5 6 9 14
third tier 2 3 12 13 15-- 2 and 3 are interesting failures in my book, and 12, 13, and 15 don't move me in the way his other symphonies do.
Why not move #9 into your top 5, downgrade one of the top 5, and put #9 out of its misery of being along side #2 and #3 and the only ones not picked. #9 deserve better than this. I really do like this symphony. In many ways it reminds me of Beethoven's 8th.
I am willing to do so and replace my vote for #4 with #9...
I've used my extra vote for the 9th, it is no longer a sad sack of poop! ;D
Quote from: DavidW on July 21, 2011, 04:02:17 PM
I've used my extra vote for the 9th, it is no longer a sad sack of poop! ;D
I may not have correctly identified the winners, but I have surely identified the losers correctly! Ha!
Quote from: DavidW on July 21, 2011, 04:02:17 PM
I've used my extra vote for the 9th, it is no longer a sad sack of poop! ;D
If there was an extra option, I might have picked it, or I might have picked 8. I do like the symphony. It's definitely not what I expected coming after the 7th and 8th, which I think is partly why I like it. Bad word to describe it, but I really do like the quirkyness of the 9th. So if there were two extra votes, It'd be one :D
The 8th is devasting, I love it. The most emotionally powerful, draining, dark, sardonic work since the Mahler 9th.
Think of it this way--the problem with the 9th is Shostakovich wrote so many good ones. But how many composers would be seriously in need of picking their five best symphonies? Haydn, Mozart...who else? The other problem is that a good many recordings of the 9th seem to couple it with the 5th, so it comes in as filler when it deserves to be heard in its own right.
The 15th has the coolest ending so I put in a vote for that one. Otherwise the 4th is tops for me, followed by the 5th, 10th, and 14th.
I vote 9! I love the way it mixes sardonic "light" music with Shost's usual miserablism, more successfully than 6.
It turned out to be pretty easy to pick my faves: 1, 5, 7, 9, 10.
If I was allowed one more vote, I would have picked 2.
4, 5, 8, 10, and 11 for me. All of these are just outstanding in my estimate.
I've always considered DSCH's 15th to be a great piece, then I saw it performed live and I was blown away, I now consider it my personal favorite symphony of his. Such an interesting structure, and one of the greatest endings.
Top is 15, and then in random order, 5, 10, 11, & 14.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on July 21, 2011, 08:20:43 PM
I've always considered DSCH's 15th to be a great piece, then I saw it performed live and I was blown away, I now consider it my personal favorite symphony of his. Such an interesting structure, and one of the greatest endings.
Top is 15, and then in random order, 5, 10, 11, & 14.
The more I listen to the 11th, the better I like it. It does take a little time to develop, but, man, the second and fourth movements are just so damn intense. But that third movement
Adagio is quite beautiful.
After 21 votes, I noticed I'm the only one who voted for the 12th. :D
Still no votes for No. 2 and No. 3
Quote from: ChamberNut on July 21, 2011, 08:27:48 PM
After 21 votes, I noticed I'm the only one who voted for the 12th. :D
Still no votes for No. 2 and No. 3
Like I said, given one more vote this would have changed. But then this poll is asking about favourites, and a symphony can still be good without being in your top five.
Quote from: eyeresist on July 21, 2011, 08:35:25 PM
Like I said, given one more vote this would have changed. But then this poll is asking about favourites, and a symphony can still be good without being in your top five.
Oh, absolutely.
Hey i voted for the 12th!
The Symphonies in order for me are 5, 10, 4, 12 & 7, the 12th is a great little number, surprised why more people don't find it one of their favourites, i just can't get my head around the 9th, it sounds more like a Suite of individual pieces than a Symphony, i want to get to know Symphonies 8 & 11 better, so much of Shostakovich is still unknown to me.
Quote from: Octo_Russ on July 21, 2011, 09:13:51 PM
Hey i voted for the 12th!
The Symphonies in order for me are 5, 10, 4, 12 & 7, the 12th is a great little number, surprised why more people don't find it one of their favourites, i just can't get my head around the 9th, it sounds more like a Suite of individual pieces than a Symphony,
Hi Russ, what do you think about my comments on the 12th, regarding the second half of the finale?
Re the 9th, I think the disparity between the movements is part of the point.
Quote from: ChamberNut on July 21, 2011, 12:47:23 PM
Yes, I could have set the vote at 12, but that wouldn't make it very interesting. :D
Sorry - I meant the 'Leningrad Symphony' rather than 7 choices! Next time I suggest the best fifteen and a half ;D
What's the half?
Quote from: eyeresist on July 22, 2011, 12:36:21 AM
What's the half?
There was certainly a report when he died that Shostakovich was working on a 16th Symphony - but I've not heard this mentioned since.
Of course, there are the string symphonies too. Although, I've never heard them before. :)
Quote from: ChamberNut on July 22, 2011, 05:30:14 AM
Of course, there are the string symphonies too. Although, I've never heard them before. :)
You should change that. :)
Quote from: DavidW on July 22, 2011, 05:37:53 AM
You should change that. :)
Yes, that along with Mendelssohn's. Which one should I try first (Dmitri's or Felix's)? :D
Have heard: 1, 5-7, 9-11
Have not heard: 2-4, 8, 12-15
Favorites so far: 6, 9, 10
Quote from: ChamberNut on July 22, 2011, 05:39:22 AM
Yes, that along with Mendelssohn's. Which one should I try first (Dmitri's or Felix's)? :D
Dmitri! :) One of those chamber symphonies is from the 8th string quartet and it rocks. 8)
Quote from: Brian on July 22, 2011, 05:47:50 AM
Have heard: 1, 5-7, 9-11
Have not heard: 2-4, 8, 12-15
Favorites so far: 6, 9, 10
What Brian!?! How could you let any DSCH symphony go unheard? :'(
Fix it now!! >:(
;D
Quote from: DavidW on July 22, 2011, 05:56:32 AM
What Brian!?! How could you let any DSCH symphony go unheard? :'(
Fix it now!! >:(
;D
Oops, just put on No 9. I'm young, I still have a lot of things to hear for the first time! :)
Quote from: Brian on July 22, 2011, 06:04:01 AM
Oops, just put on No 9. I'm young, I still have a lot of things to hear for the first time! :)
I'm only 23, and I've heard every Shostakovich symphony :P
......granted, I'm probably not the best example of a young person........ 8)
Quote from: Brian on July 22, 2011, 06:04:01 AM
Oops, just put on No 9. I'm young, I still have a lot of things to hear for the first time! :)
Hey, I'm 37 and I still haven't heard a lot of great music. Both run of the mill standard classics, along with lesser known works. I've yet to truly experience the Italian masters of Opera.
Quote from: Brian on July 22, 2011, 06:04:01 AM
Oops, just put on No 9. I'm young, I still have a lot of things to hear for the first time! :)
You know you want this... give in to the dark side... ;D
[asin]B003DQWPEM[/asin]
Quote from: DavidW on July 22, 2011, 06:27:25 AM
You know you want this... give in to the dark side... ;D
(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B003DQWPEM.01.L.jpg)
I want that.......but do I need it? I already have 6. Do I need a 7th?
......yes......
Quote from: paulrbass on July 22, 2011, 06:08:55 AM
I'm only 23, and I've heard every Shostakovich symphony :P
......granted, I'm probably not the best example of a young person........ 8)
I'd heard every Shostakovich symphony by the end of high school, and was proud of it.
You're a perfect example of a young person...you listen to great music!! ;D
At the moment it's 4, 5, 6, 9 and 15, but given how little I listen to the cycle, it is far from an informed decision :-\ My affection for the 6th is probably unchanging, though.
I enjoy all of Shosty's Cycle but my favourites are 5, 7, 8, 10 & 11 :)
Quote from: DavidW on July 22, 2011, 06:27:25 AM
You know you want this... give in to the dark side... ;D
[asin]B003DQWPEM[/asin]
I have it! Just waiting for the right occasion, for some reason.
Quote from: Lethe Dmitriyevich Shostakovich on July 22, 2011, 08:13:23 AMMy affection for the 6th is probably unchanging, though.
Ditto. 10 is my brain's favorite but 6 is my heart's :)
Hard to say, so I haven't voted. For a morbid depressive like myself, the 15th cannot be beaten (thanks to MTT & the LSO for an amazing concert that night). The ending of the 5th automatically puts it in my top rank of any music (again it is really pretty depressing empty music). The 11th and 13th are not particularly joyous so they are in my favourites - can you see a theme developing here? I am not a great fan of the 10th. Maybe I need to listen to my Barshai recordings all over again to decide!
5, 6, 11, 13, 15
Quote from: ChamberNut on July 22, 2011, 05:30:14 AM
Of course, there are the string symphonies too. Although, I've never heard them before. :)
"Chamber symphonies" is the term, I believe. I have Barshai's Italian set rereleased on Brilliant, and it's one of my favourites. I'm not sure I'd think of them as symphonies, though, certainly not in the same way as his symphonies proper, which are much grander.
Quote from: eyeresist on July 24, 2011, 04:11:34 PM
"Chamber symphonies" is the term, I believe.
Oops, I think I did actually had meant to write that. :)
4, 5, 8, 10 and 15.
Fun poll! Still tough for me to decide just where the "cut-off" should be . . . but fairly solid for me: nos. 4, 5, 8, 10 & 15
(I think nos. 2 & 3 are better than many gve them credit for, but . . . no, I couldn't see them up in anyone's Top 5 . . . .)
9 and 14 are great, I'm surprised more people don't love the dark 14th or the understated neoclassical 9th.
Quote from: Leon on July 25, 2011, 07:33:02 AM
This poll is causing me to consider listening the ones, 2, 3, 9, 12 & 14 that are scoring lower on the poll.
There, you see . . . 14 is one which I should have listed in my top 5 another time. And 9 deserves more love, too.
Quote from: DavidW on July 25, 2011, 07:37:04 AM
9 and 14 are great, I'm surprised more people don't love the dark 14th or the understated neoclassical 9th.
I've always loved No.14, in fact just acquired a new recording which I am highly enjoying...
[asin]B0036V4DK8[/asin]
Curious cover for that symphony, the detail from an icon . . . .
4, 8, 10, 14, 15.
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on July 25, 2011, 07:37:34 AM
And 9 deserves more love, too.
That symphony is one fun ride. :)
Quote from: The new erato on July 25, 2011, 08:42:05 AM
4, 8, 10, 14, 15.
Erato and I think much alike...not
quite alike but damn close 8)
4, 8. 9, 14, 15
5, 6, and 13 are the ones I despair leaving behind.
Sarge
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on July 25, 2011, 08:41:17 AM
Curious cover for that symphony, the detail from an icon . . . .
I've read an analysis of 14 which argued it was a sort of Requiem--or more exactly, an anti-Requiem, the Requiem an atheist might write.
Quote from: Jeffrey Smith on July 25, 2011, 05:54:23 PM
I've read an analysis of 14 which argued it was a sort of Requiem--or more exactly, an anti-Requiem, the Requiem an atheist might write.
Britten and Brahms don't count?
Quote from: eyeresist on July 25, 2011, 07:37:46 PM
Britten and Brahms don't count?
Britten was writing to express his pacificism, and Brahms wrote an overtly religious work (besides, I'm not sure if he can be classified as an atheist). Shostakovich, according to this argument, was writing a Requiem based on the idea of death as extinction and a universe without a moral core (meaning God). And the article was dealing with the 14th in particular without any references to other works, even those by Shostakovich.
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on July 25, 2011, 04:46:11 PM
Erato and I think much alike...not quite alike but damn close 8)
4, 8. 9, 14, 15
5, 6, and 13 are the ones I despair leaving behind.
Sarge
In fact I was wondering about the 9th when I wrote the list, it probably would have been my 6th choice.
Quote from: raSmith on July 25, 2011, 05:54:23 PM
I've read an analysis of 14 which argued it was a sort of Requiem--or more exactly, an anti-Requiem, the Requiem an atheist might write.
I think that's pretty accurate. And besides, it is one of the great orchestral song cycles, in my mind up there with Mahler' Lied vDE, and Frank Martin's Cornet (another bleak cycle, interesting enough based on Rilke which also Shostakovich choose to include).
Quote from: DavidW on July 25, 2011, 07:37:04 AM
I'm surprised more people don't love the dark 14th or the understated neoclassical 9th.
People voting in a poll for a
numerus clausus of choices among multiple options doesn't mean they might not like/love the other options they don't vote for. Sometimes it does, but it's also a matter of precedence of preference. Had the poll allowed for more votes, you'd have seen more votes for these works, as well. Don't be surprised, then, just be more nuanced in your expectations. 8)
1,4,8,11,13,15 - oh no, that's 6!
Personally I don't consider no.14 to be a symphony in the same way that I don't consider the '7 Romances after poems by Blok' to be a symphony. I'd see 'The Execution of Stefan Razin' more symphonic than No.14.
voted for 5, 6, 10, 11, 12. :)
Cannot believe that no.12 has so few votes! What does everyone have against this symphony?! I think it's one of the most thrilling of the lot! :)
Daniel
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 05, 2011, 12:50:02 PM
voted for 5, 6, 10, 11, 12. :)
Cannot believe that no.12 has so few votes! What does everyone have against this symphony?! I think it's one of the most thrilling of the lot! :)
Daniel
I love the music of the Twelfth, but only in its 'original' form - as the soundtrack to Eisenstein's film
October.
Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k62eaN9-TLY
Quote from: J. Z. Herrenberg on September 05, 2011, 01:00:26 PM
I love the music of the Twelfth, but only in its 'original' form - as the soundtrack to Eisenstein's film October.
Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k62eaN9-TLY
hmmm.... wasn't that his 2nd symphony though?
Daniel
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 05, 2011, 12:50:02 PM
voted for 5, 6, 10, 11, 12. :)
Cannot believe that no.12 has so few votes! What does everyone have against this symphony?! I think it's one of the most thrilling of the lot! :)
Daniel
Daniel - I did vote for the 12th. :)
Is anyone not going to choose 10? Can't believe how many people don't like 1, I reckon it's one of the best.
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 05, 2011, 01:05:23 PM
hmmm.... wasn't that his 2nd symphony though?
Daniel
No. Shostakovich used music from the film for his Twelfth. Just listen...
Quote from: Guido on September 05, 2011, 01:12:26 PM
Is anyone not going to choose 10? Can't believe how many people don't like 1, I reckon it's one of the best.
I voted for both 1 and 10.
Quote from: Guido on September 05, 2011, 01:12:26 PM
Is anyone not going to choose 10?
(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/aug11/raise-hand.jpg)
I love parts of 10 but other parts bore me to death (much like 7).
Sarge
Quote from: ChamberNut on September 05, 2011, 01:07:59 PM
Daniel - I did vote for the 12th. :)
Thank you Ray! :)
Quote from: Guido on September 05, 2011, 01:12:26 PM
Is anyone not going to choose 1? Can't believe how many people don't like 1, I reckon it's one of the best.
I do love no.1, that would have been my 6th vote ;) The ending of the finale in particular is excellent!
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on September 05, 2011, 01:18:58 PM
I love parts of 10 but other parts bore me to death (much like 7).
Ouch! (We can still be mates, though, Sarge.)
4/14/15.
This has been my answer to this question for the best part of 20 years now, so I guess my preferences on the matter are set.
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 05, 2011, 12:50:02 PM
Cannot believe that no.12 has so few votes! What does everyone have against this symphony?! I think it's one of the most thrilling of the lot! :)
There are a couple of problems with 12. First, its thematic material is fairly limited for such a long work (it's basically the same two themes throughout). More problematic is the second half of the finale, which is repetitious to the point of banality. I think it could be made to work, but haven't heard it done yet.
Quote from: eyeresist on September 05, 2011, 07:36:02 PM
There are a couple of problems with 12. First, its thematic material is fairly limited for such a long work (it's basically the same two themes throughout). More problematic is the second half of the finale, which is repetitious to the point of banality. I think it could be made to work, but haven't heard it done yet.
The music works for the film, but not as a symphony, I agree.
These days, I like Twelve as much as I've ever done, I suppose. Still, for me, that would never elbow its place into my own Top Five.
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on September 05, 2011, 02:41:25 PM
Ouch! (We can still be mates, though, Sarge.)
I acknowledge there is something wrong with me. The 10th is the most popular (here anyway) so obviously the problem is me. I'm glad you can overlook my severe character flaw, Karl ;)
Sarge
Quote from: edward on September 05, 2011, 05:10:30 PM
4/14/15.
You, me, Erato...Brothers in Shostakovich 8)
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on September 06, 2011, 04:13:46 AM
I acknowledge there is something wrong with me. The 10th is the most popular (here anyway) so obviously the problem is me. I'm glad you can overlook my severe character flaw, Karl ;)
I have been hooked on Ten (as I've probably said ere now) since my Wooster days, when Simon Rattle (not yet knighted) led the Clevelanders in the piece at McGaw Chapel. The symphony, every measure, fixed me with its glittering eye . . . .Quote from: Sergeant Rock on September 06, 2011, 04:14:20 AM
You, me, Erato...Brothers in Shostakovich 8)
Two of my votes went to Four & Fifteen. Another day, I'd vote for Fourteen, two.
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on September 06, 2011, 04:29:10 AM
Two of my votes went to Four & Fifteen. Another day, I'd vote for Fourteen, two.
Actually the only Shosty symphonies I don't enjoy completely are 7 and 10 (and I don't actually dislike either...they just try my patience). Even the Third, that unloved bastard, gives me pleasure. This kind of poll doesn't reflect my true feelings about the composer. It's fun but misleading.
Sarge
I'm still having problems with my enjoyment of the 4th. I'm finding it overly complex, clamorous and cacaphonous, jarring, alarming - even for me. I can't quite put it all together in my mind yet.
**This isn't a cry for help - I had similar issues before for a long time with Mahler's 7th symphony, which now happens to be my second favorite Mahler symphony. :)
As the old saying goes, 'It's not you, it's me'. ;D
Quote from: eyeresist on September 05, 2011, 07:36:02 PM
There are a couple of problems with 12. First, its thematic material is fairly limited for such a long work (it's basically the same two themes throughout). More problematic is the second half of the finale, which is repetitious to the point of banality. I think it could be made to work, but haven't heard it done yet.
Maybe that is why I like it so much. It is kind of 'a la Bruckner mode'. :D
Quote from: ChamberNut on September 06, 2011, 05:33:38 AM
Maybe that is why I like it so much. It is kind of 'a la Bruckner mode'. :D
Bruckner is never guilty of the extreme lapeses that Shostakovich allows himself here. It's just awful.
Oh, my . . . .
I think RVW's Antarctica is the prime example of how to transform a film score into a symphony. I watched October again last night - as I said, the music is excellent and works really well. But too much of it goes verbatim into the symphony, including all the repetition that has to underpin the film - without images, the repetition becomes nonsensical.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on July 21, 2011, 08:20:43 PM
I've always considered DSCH's 15th to be a great piece, then I saw it performed live and I was blown away, I now consider it my personal favorite symphony of his. Such an interesting structure, and one of the greatest endings.
Top is 15, and then in random order, 5, 10, 11, & 14.
Am I allowed to quote myself? ;D
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on September 06, 2011, 05:23:46 PM
Am I allowed to quote myself? ;D
Absolutely! I do it all the time! :D 8)
I love the first two Symphonies. This said, my favorite Shostakovich Symphonie is the n. 14. After that, I would chose the n. 8 and 10 (but it is a pity not to mention the 6th).
Quote from: edward on September 05, 2011, 05:10:30 PM
4/14/15.
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on September 06, 2011, 04:14:20 AM
You, me, Erato...Brothers in Shostakovich 8)
Sarge
And, err, me too I guess.
Quote from: Dancing Divertimentian on July 21, 2011, 05:03:20 PM
The 15th has the coolest ending so I put in a vote for that one. Otherwise the 4th is tops for me, followed by the 5th, 10th, and 14th.
I voted for No.4, No.5, No.6 No.10 & No.11
Shostakovich No.10 is definitely one of my favourite pieces ever written, so stunning!!! :D
Quote from: Lisztianwagner on September 11, 2011, 09:05:46 AM
I voted for No.4, No.5, No.6 No.10 & No.11
Shostakovich No.10 is definitely one of my favourite pieces ever written, so stunning!!! :D
Again, Ilaria, our lists are near exactly the same! :) I believe I voted for no.12 instead of no.4 though. :)
Daniel
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 11, 2011, 11:25:24 AM
Again, Ilaria, our lists are near exactly the same! :) I believe I voted for no.12 instead of no.4 though. :)
Daniel
4, 5, 6 and 10 here, too. But with 1.
Quote from: J. Z. Herrenberg on September 11, 2011, 11:30:47 AM
4, 5, 6 and 10 here, too. But with 1.
Yes, Shostakovich No.1 is amazing as well, I particularly like both Ashkenazy's and Petrenko's recording :)
Ilaria
Amazingly, I didn't like 1 at first. Maybe that was Barshai's fault? But now it's definitely a favourite - exhilarating from first to last. So many "wow" moments.
Bump, OK we need one more person to vote (who hasn't yet) to make it 50 people that have voted.
Then I can die in peace. :D
Consider your angst about round numbers a personal tribute to Dmitri S. :)
Quote from: eyeresist on September 12, 2011, 07:31:29 PM
Consider your angst about round numbers a personal tribute to Dmitri S. :)
:)
We need another voter, please! :D
5, 6, 8, 10, 15 - but it was a hard choice between 8 and 4.
(I didn't vote now, though - sorry, Ray. :( )
I'll email Dundonnell. Perhaps he'll make up the numbers.... ;D
Quote from: ChamberNut on September 13, 2011, 06:21:26 AM
We need another voter, please! :D
I could have Mrs. Rock log on and vote...but she'd ask me how to vote ;D Even though she's a major Prokofiev fan, she's never shown any interest in Shostakovich.
Sarge
Dundonnell has come to the rescue!!
Quote from: J. Z. Herrenberg on September 13, 2011, 08:50:04 AM
Dundonnell has come to the rescue!!
Sweet! And # 10 is the frontrunner, after 50 votes! :)
I changed my votes to 5, 6, 8, 10, and 11. I've really become fond of Symphony No. 13 "Babi Yar" though and Symphony No. 2 isn't as bad as I thought it originally to be. Symphonies Nos. 14 & 15 are still growing on me. I think Symphony No. 12 is better than it's reputation. It's not the most impressive work by Shostakovich, but it's still a very good one I think. It really has some blistering sections that make me jump out of my seat. I've always liked Symphony No. 7 "Leningrad" but I've never liked it well enough to call it an absolute favorite.
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 11, 2011, 11:25:24 AM
Again, Ilaria, our lists are near exactly the same! :) I believe I voted for no.12 instead of no.4 though. :)
Shostakovich 4 = most Mahlerian of his symphonies ...so I'm surprised the Fourth isn't one of your favorites, Mad.
Sarge
Quote from: madaboutmahler on September 05, 2011, 12:50:02 PM
voted for 5, 6, 10, 11, 12. :)
Cannot believe that no.12 has so few votes! What does everyone have against this symphony?! I think it's one of the most thrilling of the lot! :)
Daniel
I'm surprised to see that the 8th isn't in your list of favorites, Daniel. Does the bleak mood of the 8th keep you from enjoying it? I think it's one of Shosty's masterworks. From start to finish, I'm captivated by it.
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 17, 2012, 10:55:06 AM
I think Symphony No. 12 is better than it's reputation. It's not the most impressive work by Shostakovich, but it's still a very good one I think. It really has some blistering sections that make me jump out of my seat.
Completely agree!
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on January 17, 2012, 11:13:09 AM
Shostakovich 4 = most Mahlerian of his symphonies ...so I'm surprised the Fourth isn't one of your favorites, Mad.
Sarge
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 17, 2012, 11:14:23 AM
I'm surprised to see that the 8th isn't in your list of favorites, Daniel. Does the bleak mood of the 8th keep you from enjoying it? I think it's one of Shosty's masterworks. From start to finish, I'm captivated by it.
Was so hard to decide.... and looking back on it now, I may change. no.4 is one I do not know as well as the others, so will have to give another listen another time. Remember being absolutely amazed by it the last time I heard it though... no.8 I absolutely love, the bleak mood making me love it even more if anything! Just so hard to choose... I love all of them!
At this current moment, now, I would probably pick no. 5, 8, 10, 11, 12. I'll listen to no.4 again soon, and it will probably end up 'overtaking' one of the others on my list.
What do you think of no.4, John?
Quote from: madaboutmahler on January 17, 2012, 12:45:39 PM
Completely agree!
Was so hard to decide.... and looking back on it now, I may change. no.4 is one I do not know as well as the others, so will have to give another listen another time. Remember being absolutely amazed by it the last time I heard it though... no.8 I absolutely love, the bleak mood making me love it even more if anything! Just so hard to choose... I love all of them!
At this current moment, now, I would probably pick no. 5, 8, 10, 11, 12. I'll listen to no.4 again soon, and it will probably end up 'overtaking' one of the others on my list.
What do you think of no.4, John?
The 4th, at one point, was one of my favorites, but it's somewhat taken a backseat. I still like it a lot. It's a very complicated work with a fascinating structure. Sarge called this symphony the most Mahlerian of Shosty's symphonies and this is true in some respects, but I think the work is much more neurotic than anything Mahler composed. I still admire, and love, Rattle's performance on EMI (w/ the CBSO) which is one of the finest I've heard. The Jansons's 4th is also very fine. Like his 2nd and 3rd, the 4th is quite experimental in nature. Very complex work that I'm still confused by, but it does have some winning moments. I think it's just a mysterious sounding work and hearing the work that came after it is a bit of a shock. It's a fascinating symphony.
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 17, 2012, 01:27:19 PM
. . . Sarge called this symphony [the Fourth] the most Mahlerian of Shosty's symphonies and this is true in some respects, but I think the work is much more neurotic than anything Mahler composed.
Now you see, I should have called the Op.43 more tightly structured than anything Mahler composed! Of course, that is not necessarily at odds with your point . . . content-wise, there is a passage or two which I grant you.
Quote from: karlhenning on January 18, 2012, 02:13:18 AM
Now you see, I should have called the Op.43 more tightly structured than anything Mahler composed! Of course, that is not necessarily at odds with your point . . . content-wise, there is a passage or two which I grant you.
Yes, even within it's madness, Shosty's 4th does have a structure. His music always is tightly structured and it has purpose.
Quote from: Mirror Image on January 17, 2012, 10:55:06 AMI've always liked Symphony No. 7 "Leningrad" but I've never liked it well enough to call it an absolute favorite.
I think I'd like 7 better if it was just the first movement :D
Quote from: eyeresist on January 20, 2012, 02:08:45 AM
I think I'd like 7 better if it was just the first movement :D
Most curious! For a long time now, I've been perfectly well convinced by the entire symphony — but there was a time, long gone since, when I only really liked the middle movements.
My favorite movement of the seventh, at least at this time, is the third. Just a beautiful movement with the 2 distinct sections, with the first returning. The whole symphony has been a favorite of mine for a while though.
I wouldn't want to be without this recording, the final movement of the "Leningrad" is devastatingly powerful, Lenny may not be the ideal DSCH conductor and his tempos are certainly slower than most, but I haven't found a performance that conveys such emotion.
Also, if you like your low brass, and are familiar with Charles Vernon of the CSO, than the ending of #7 ought to be pleasing.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61EtTCozQhL._SS300_.jpg)
That's a marvelous performance, Greg.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on January 20, 2012, 06:21:58 PM
I wouldn't want to be without this recording, the final movement of the "Leningrad" is devastatingly powerful, Lenny may not be the ideal DSCH conductor and his tempos are certainly slower than most, but I haven't found a performance that conveys such emotion.
Also, if you like your low brass, and are familiar with Charles Vernon of the CSO, than the ending of #7 ought to be pleasing.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61EtTCozQhL._SS300_.jpg)
Possibly my favorite disc of DS's music. Maybe. At least of that work, yes.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on January 20, 2012, 06:21:58 PM
I wouldn't want to be without this recording, the final movement of the "Leningrad" is devastatingly powerful, Lenny may not be the ideal DSCH conductor and his tempos are certainly slower than most, but I haven't found a performance that conveys such emotion.
Also, if you like your low brass, and are familiar with Charles Vernon of the CSO, than the ending of #7 ought to be pleasing.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61EtTCozQhL._SS300_.jpg)
My favorite
Lenningrad performance for sure. Not many conductors get this one right, but there's something to say for Bernstein's emotionalism here. I dig it! 8)
1. 15th
2. 5th
3. 7th
4. 9th
5. 1st
If I could be allowed a 6th, it would be #11, and a 7th, #13.
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 22, 2012, 03:56:35 PM
My favorite Lenningrad performance for sure. Not many conductors get this one right, but there's something to say for Bernstein's emotionalism here. I dig it! 8)
My favourite Seventh, as well.
Quote from: Brahmsian on July 21, 2011, 11:39:04 AM
In numerical order: 5, 8, 10, 11, 12
Mine has changed since I had originally voted.
Currently, in numerical order: 4, 5, 8, 10, 11
4th replacing 12th. For awhile, I was addicted to the 12th.
Bumped due to Sargeant influence. :D
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 27, 2014, 08:23:05 AM
4th replacing 12th. For awhile, I was addicted to the 12th.
Bumped due to Sargeant influence. :D
Zowie, I know that can be a bit of a sea-change.
But it's the right thing,
mon cher 8)
I voted for Opp. 43, 60, 65, 93 & 141.
But in a way, I wish I might have cast more votes . . . .
Quote from: karlhenning on May 27, 2014, 08:25:56 AM
Zowie, I know that can be a bit of a sea-change.
But it's the right thing, mon cher 8)
;D Well, it took me a really long time to enjoy and appreciate the 4th. It has finally clicked in a big way.
Quote from: ChamberNut on May 27, 2014, 08:28:31 AM
;D Well, it took me a really long time to enjoy and appreciate the 4th. It has finally clicked in a big way.
Hey, that was true of me! It's just so enormous . . . I still remember (I'm not proud of it) my only take-away from the first listen was the inverse of
Sollertinsky's, i.e., that all I recalled at the end of that first listen was the bits which reminded me of the
Fifth. So much material, and I rushed to judgement before I could possibly have digested it all . . . .
Quote from: karlhenning on May 27, 2014, 08:28:06 AM
I voted for Opp. 43, 60, 65, 93 & 141.
But in a way, I wish I might have cast more votes . . . .
It pains me to have left out 1, 5 and 6. But I would not change my votes today. It would still be 4, 8, 9, 14 and 15.
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on May 27, 2014, 08:36:02 AM
It pains me to have left out 1, 5 and 6. But I would not change my votes today. It would still be 4, 8, 9, 14 and 15.
Sarge
Yay! Another 9 fan.
Quote from: karlhenning on May 27, 2014, 08:28:06 AM
But in a way, I wish I might have cast more votes . . . .
14 Favourite Shostakovich Symphonies - poll
Quote from: Brian on May 27, 2014, 08:58:29 AM
14 Favourite Shostakovich Symphonies - poll
Uncanny how you read my mind there . . . .
Quote from: EigenUser on May 27, 2014, 08:52:51 AM
Yay! Another 9 fan.
I voted for 9 as well. My list is Sarge's, with 10 replacing 4.
Quote from: EigenUser on May 27, 2014, 08:52:51 AM
Yay! Another 9 fan.
Big fan. I play it more, far more, than any other Shostakovich work.
Sarge
I wonder when I casted my votes (4, 5, 10, 13 & 14) - I'd definitely pick the 8th (or 7th or 15th) over the 13th now.
So, if I could vote twice, I'd vote for 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, 13, 14, 15. :D
Much as I love the Eighth . . . I'm listening to the Thirteenth now, and could not imagine dislodging it.
Quote from: karlhenning on May 28, 2014, 05:18:59 AM
Much as I love the Eighth . . . I'm listening to the Thirteenth now, and could not imagine dislodging it.
I joined in, and agree - I certainly don't want to dislodge this. :)
14 favourite DSCH symphonies might still be verging on pointlessness, but
Your ten favourite DSCH Symphonies would be an excellent idea.. 0:)
After long consideration, my final choices are
1. Banana
2. Banana
3. Banana
4. Banana
5. Llama ;D
My original 5 picks were:
4, 5, 8, 10, 11
Now:
4, 5, 7, 8 and 14
However, I do truly enjoy them all. Even the maligned 2, 3 and 12th. ;D
My choices now:
4,7,11,10 and 8 (also have ad odd liking for 12 and 15).
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on July 21, 2011, 08:20:43 PM
I've always considered DSCH's 15th to be a great piece, then I saw it performed live and I was blown away, I now consider it my personal favorite symphony of his. Such an interesting structure, and one of the greatest endings.
Top is 15, and then in random order, 5, 10, 11, & 14.
Wow, four years ago. My thoughts on No.15 remain the same, perhaps even stronger. I would replace No.11 with No.13 now.
In order of composition: 4, 6, 7, 11, 12. No. 11 is definitely my favourite; I can't decide an order for the others.
Also, the lack of love for No. 12 is one of the more baffling things with Shostakovich. I don't see what's wrong with it at all. It's a fine symphony.
Quote from: ChamberNut on September 02, 2015, 07:52:42 AM
My original 5 picks were:
4, 5, 8, 10, 11
Now:
4, 5, 7, 8 and 14
However, I do truly enjoy them all. Even the maligned 2, 3 and 12th. ;D
Delighted to see that the
Seventh and
Fourteenth have risen in your esteem,
mon cher!
Befitting the impossibility of the task, though . . . horrified to see the
Tenth drop off 8)
Quote from: Maestro267 on September 03, 2015, 03:23:21 AM
Also, the lack of love for No. 12 is one of the more baffling things with Shostakovich. I don't see what's wrong with it at all. It's a fine symphony.
I think most of us
like it, though (myself included) it may have taken a while, an adjustment of expectations.
Scarcely a soul would contend that it is his
best; and, if he had written this symphony alone, and none of the other 14, it would not argue very well for the composer's stature.
Quote from: karlhenning on September 03, 2015, 03:41:52 AM
Delighted to see that the Seventh and Fourteenth have risen in your esteem, mon cher!
Befitting the impossibility of the task, though . . . horrified to see the Tenth drop off 8)
Yes, incredible, as the 10th used to be my favourite. 8) It still is one of the favourites, but I just don't listen to it as often now. :-[
Perhaps we should expand the poll to include our favorite 15 Shostakovich symphonies. :laugh:
Quote from: jochanaan on September 03, 2015, 08:30:09 AM
Perhaps we should expand the poll to include our favorite 15 Shostakovich symphonies. :laugh:
Quote from: North Star on May 28, 2014, 05:31:43 AM
I joined in, and agree - I certainly don't want to dislodge this. :)
14 favourite DSCH symphonies might still be verging on pointlessness, but Your ten favourite DSCH Symphonies would be an excellent idea.. 0:)
The list after listening to
No. 4 (not that this alters the list,
No. 4 will always be on it): 4, 10, 13, 14, 15. I feel bad for 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 11 now.
Quote from: North Star on September 03, 2015, 09:07:17 AM
The list after listening to No. 4 (not that this alters the list, No. 4 will always be on it): 4, 10, 13, 14, 15. I feel bad for 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 11 now.
And I feel bad for #1, seeing it didn't make it into your post. But I'm definitely prejudiced, since I've actually played #1 in orchestra. 8)
Bumping this poll because it's interesting and cool
No. 2 is my favourite!
Followed by 6, 4 and 1.....and I just realised I could have voted for one more, but I'll leave it at that so I can always change my mind about the fifth one lol :laugh:
In the order that I ticked them - 1, 15, 10, 11 ... and then I hovered over 2 or 3 options before eventually clicking on ... 6.
Quote from: ComposerOfAvantGarde on October 11, 2015, 11:29:39 PM
Bumping this poll because it's interesting and cool
No. 2 is my favourite!
Followed by 6, 4 and 1.....and I just realised I could have voted for one more, but I'll leave it at that so I can always change my mind about the fifth one lol :laugh:
No. 2 really is a blast!
Quote from: karlhenning on October 12, 2015, 01:33:54 AM
No. 2 really is a blast!
It should be more popular than his mistake of a fifth symphony!
I pick 4,5, 7, 8 and 10 but I like most of his symphonies.
I think 13 is the most impressive in concert. $:) Especially with a Russian choir.
Quote from: Androcles on September 18, 2016, 01:34:37 PM
I think 13 is the most impressive in concert. $:) Especially with a Russian choir.
You may well be right, there.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Haven't listened to some of these in a while.
4, 5, 6, 10 and 15 will do for now. 8)
It's been awhile since my initial picks and I'm not happy with what choices, so here is my current list (in no particular order): 4, 7, 8, 10, and 11.
Quote from: Mirror Image on December 01, 2016, 07:49:10 PM
It's been awhile since my initial picks and I'm not happy with what choices, so here is my current list (in no particular order): 4, 7, 8, 10, and 11.
I think John should be allowed 15 choices. To save time.
Quote from: Ken B on December 01, 2016, 08:00:08 PM
I think John should be allowed 15 choices. To save time.
I concur
Quote from: Mirror Image on December 01, 2016, 07:49:10 PM
It's been awhile since my initial picks and I'm not happy with what choices, so here is my current list (in no particular order): 4, 7, 8, 10, and 11.
Good list though. Apart from the obvious omissions :)
Quote from: Ken B on December 01, 2016, 08:00:08 PM
I think John should be allowed 15 choices. To save time.
;) ;D Yeah, they're all my favorites!
Quote from: jessop on December 01, 2016, 08:02:18 PM
Good list though. Apart from the obvious omissions :)
The problem is I'm only allowed five. That, in itself, is a drag, man. :(
Quote from: Mirror Image on December 01, 2016, 08:54:48 PM
The problem is I'm only allowed five. That, in itself, is a drag, man. :(
Just as long as 2 and 6 are in your expanded favourites list ;)
Currently 4, 6, 8, 10, and 15 for me.
When I voted initially I only ticked the boxes for four symphonies—1, 2, 4 and 6—so now I have recast my vote to include 9. :)