GMG Classical Music Forum

The Music Room => Great Recordings and Reviews => Topic started by: rubio on April 11, 2007, 07:39:02 AM

Title: Recommendation for Shostakovich First Symphony?
Post by: rubio on April 11, 2007, 07:39:02 AM
I just heard this symphony conducted by Barshai from his box set, and I must say that I liked this symphony a lot! Are there some recordings of these symphony out there that are superior to Barshai? E.g.
Ormandy, Rozhdestvensky, Stokowski?
Title: Re: Recommendation for Shostakovich First Symphony?
Post by: not edward on April 11, 2007, 10:05:41 AM
I know this must come as a terrible shock to a lot of people (cough), but I really like the light touch of Ancerl in this symphony. Plus it comes with an unconventional--but IMO very effective--interpretation of the 5th symphony.
Title: Re: Recommendation for Shostakovich First Symphony?
Post by: karlhenning on April 11, 2007, 10:19:24 AM
Quote from: edward on April 11, 2007, 10:05:41 AM
I know this must come as a terrible shock to a lot of people (cough), but I really like the light touch of Ancerl in this symphony. Plus it comes with an unconventional--but IMO very effective--interpretation of the 5th symphony.

*Ahem* (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,164.msg2694.html#msg2694)
Title: Re: Recommendation for Shostakovich First Symphony?
Post by: George on April 11, 2007, 11:38:48 AM
Quote from: rubio on April 11, 2007, 07:39:02 AM
I just heard this symphony conducted by Barshai from his box set, and I must say that I liked this symphony a lot! Are there some recordings of these symphony out there that are superior to Barshai? E.g.
Ormandy, Rozhdestvensky, Stokowski?

See above.  8)
Title: Re: Recommendation for Shostakovich First Symphony?
Post by: rubio on April 11, 2007, 12:56:12 PM
Quote from: George on April 11, 2007, 11:38:48 AM
See above.  8)

That one is interesting. Do you have recommendations for any more Rozhdestvensky Shostakovich symphonies (and which labels)? I have read his cycle is a bit up and down, so maybe I should go for individual releases.
Title: Re: Recommendation for Shostakovich First Symphony?
Post by: George on April 11, 2007, 12:59:22 PM
Quote from: rubio on April 11, 2007, 12:56:12 PM
That one is interesting. Do you have recommendations for any more Rozhdestvensky Shostakovich symphonies (and which labels)? I have read his cycle is a bit up and down, so maybe I should go for individual releases.

I'd say start with the CD that has #1 and #3. If it clicks for you like it did for me you'll want to get them all.

But - that won't be easy to do. Worth it though, IMO. I have more than half of them and haven't come across any unevenness in the cycle, nor have I read of one.  :-\
Title: Re: Recommendation for Shostakovich First Symphony?
Post by: val on April 11, 2007, 11:36:02 PM
Two suggestions:

Ancerl with the Czech Philharmonic

Effrem Kurtz, with the Philharmoniaq
Title: Re: Recommendation for Shostakovich First Symphony?
Post by: Robert on April 12, 2007, 01:40:40 PM
Quote from: rubio on April 11, 2007, 07:39:02 AM
I just heard this symphony conducted by Barshai from his box set, and I must say that I liked this symphony a lot! Are there some recordings of these symphony out there that are superior to Barshai? E.g.
Ormandy, Rozhdestvensky, Stokowski?

I can't say that its superior to any of those but I still love the DG Bernstein coupled with 7
Title: Re: Recommendation for Shostakovich First Symphony?
Post by: Steve on April 12, 2007, 09:17:57 PM
Eugene Ormandy.
Title: Re: Recommendation for Shostakovich First Symphony?
Post by: Danny on April 14, 2007, 12:14:42 AM
Jansons on the EMI Classics Encore label is a cheap, well played First. :)
Title: Re: Recommendation for Shostakovich First Symphony?
Post by: RebLem on April 14, 2007, 06:40:31 PM
First of all, the Barshai is excellent, I agree.  Bernstein did two excellent recordings of it, one on a two CD set with the 7th with the Chicago Sym.  That is the preferred of the two Bernstein recordings of the 7th, but his earlier NYPO recording of #1 is just as good a performance, though not in as good sound.  I recommend both.
Title: Re: Recommendation for Shostakovich First Symphony?
Post by: vandermolen on April 15, 2007, 12:56:17 AM
I like my Ormandy CD on Sony.