Dmitri's Dacha

[Mirror Image]

Based on its programme, it's probably having the desired effect then.

Indeed!

Time to revisit the 11th, I've always considered Rostropovich with the NSO to be a desert island disc, there are moments that are absolutely terrifying, which I think was DSCH's intent.

Have you heard Haitink's performance (w/ the Concertgebouw)?



I haven't heard Rostropovich's 11th in ages. I remember good things about it.

[TheGSMoeller]

Indeed!

Have you heard Haitink's performance (w/ the Concertgebouw)?



I haven't heard Rostropovich's 11th in ages. I remember good things about it.

I haven't heard the Haitink yet, but I'll search to see if it's streaming. Thanks, John!

[vandermolen]

I'm very fond of the version conducted by Sir John Pritchard with the BBC SO on the old BBC Radio Classics label. I was at the concert on 12th April 1985 sitting in the cheap choir seats behind the percussion. It was like being in the orchestra. The epic conclusion to the symphony was terrific. I remember a percussionist virtually throwing himself into the gong! One of the great live musical experiences of my life.

[TheGSMoeller]

I'm very fond of the version conducted by Sir John Pritchard with the BBC SO on the old BBC Radio Classics label. I was at the concert on 12th April 1985 sitting in the cheap choir seats behind the percussion. It was like being in the orchestra. The epic conclusion to the symphony was terrific. I remember a percussionist virtually throwing himself into the gong! One of the great live musical experiences of my life.

Nothing beats a great live performance! Thanks for sharing.

[vandermolen]

My pleasure and of course I'll report back on tomorrow's live concert at the Proms in London when I can.
Incidentally that Pritchard recording is, to my amazement, available on the Amazon UK site, although from a U.S. seller at under £5.00. Otherwise it's absurdly expensive ($80 on the Amazon.com site).

[Mirror Image]

I haven't heard the Haitink yet, but I'll search to see if it's streaming. Thanks, John!

You're welcome, Greg. This is one of the most intense performances I've ever heard from Haitink. I kid you not.

The Ninth of January movement delivered with terror from Haitink:

https://www.youtube.com/v/O_zIab4xGBA

[vandermolen]

You're welcome, Greg. This is one of the most intense performances I've ever heard from Haitink. I kid you not.

The Ninth of January movement delivered with terror from Haitink:

https://www.youtube.com/v/O_zIab4xGBA

I recently bought the Haitink boxed set - so that is great news. His version of No.13 is my favourite and No.8 is excellent - I saw Haitink conduct it live decades ago - another great concert.

[Mirror Image]

I recently bought the Haitink boxed set - so that is great news. His version of No.13 is my favourite and No.8 is excellent - I saw Haitink conduct it live decades ago - another great concert.

Excellent, Jeffrey. Haitink's set is my favorite from a non-Russian conductor. His Symphony No. 8 is one of the best on record IMHO. One thing I like about Haitink's Shostakovich are those quiet, introspective moments, which he handles with such scary conviction. Of course, I'm certainly not saying he doesn't rise to the occasion in the climaxes, because he certainly does. Only in the 5th, especially in the Largo movement do I feel a bit underwhelmed as the first climax timpani roll isn't as powerful as it should be, but that's one of the only complaints I have about this cycle.

[SymphonicAddict]

I also agree with you about the excellence of that cycle. The 4th, 8th, 11st, 13rd and 15th symphonies are top notch performances in these recordings imho.

[vandermolen]

Excellent, Jeffrey. Haitink's set is my favorite from a non-Russian conductor. His Symphony No. 8 is one of the best on record IMHO. One thing I like about Haitink's Shostakovich are those quiet, introspective moments, which he handles with such scary conviction. Of course, I'm certainly not saying he doesn't rise to the occasion in the climaxes, because he certainly does. Only in the 5th, especially in the Largo movement do I feel a bit underwhelmed as the first climax timpani roll isn't as powerful as it should be, but that's one of the only complaints I have about this cycle.

Very much agree with this analysis John.

[vandermolen]

I also agree with you about the excellence of that cycle. The 4th, 8th, 11st, 13rd and 15th symphonies are top notch performances in these recordings imho.

Right, I must listen to those ones. 13 is in a class of its own IMHO. As with Haitink's recording of Vaughan Willliams's 'A Sea Symphony' I have never been as moved by any other performance of the work.

[relm1]

Haitink's LPO/RCO cycle is extremely highly recommended for the full set.  I think it is my favorite version overall.  On a case by case basis, he might not win any single recording.  For example, I think Bernstein's CSO No. 7 is the best it gets.  But Haitink is still very solid in this same work whereas Bernstein doesn't have many of the other symphonies.  Plus the sound of Haitink is superb.  I also really enjoy Maxim's deleted Collins series with the LSO but those are more operatic with sweeping rubato for example.  A measure of a great composer is how many different interpretations are still great and reveal something new.  But again, if you have money for only one complete cycle, my money is on Haitink decca.

[Mirror Image]

I also agree with you about the excellence of that cycle. The 4th, 8th, 11st, 13rd and 15th symphonies are top notch performances in these recordings imho.

I haven't heard Haitink's 4th in ages. I'm sure it's a good one, though. Right now, I've got Rozhdestvensky's performance of the 4th imprinted in my mind. Absolutely visceral and in-your-face. I'm not sure if you've heard it or not, but I think you'll enjoy that performance.

[Mirror Image]

Very much agree with this analysis John.

[Mirror Image]

Haitink's LPO/RCO cycle is extremely highly recommended for the full set.  I think it is my favorite version overall.  On a case by case basis, he might not win any single recording.  For example, I think Bernstein's CSO No. 7 is the best it gets.  But Haitink is still very solid in this same work whereas Bernstein doesn't have many of the other symphonies.  Plus the sound of Haitink is superb.  I also really enjoy Maxim's deleted Collins series with the LSO but those are more operatic with sweeping rubato for example.  A measure of a great composer is how many different interpretations are still great and reveal something new.  But again, if you have money for only one complete cycle, my money is on Haitink decca.

I'll always have a bit of sentimental attachment to Haitink's cycle because it was my first. Of course, even when I'm being objective and have my critical ear trying to find fault ---- Haitink's cycle still walks away as one of the best available IMHO. Agree with you about Bernstein's 7th with the CSO, but Rozhdestvensky is quite powerful and persuasive in the 7th as well.

[aukhawk]

I came to Shostakovich via Ormandy and the 1st Symphony, which was the 'B side' for the premiere recording of the Cello Concerto back in the early '60s.  Then some years later, via Previn and the 5th Symphony, then various symphony releases from Melodiya, Svetlanov the 10th, Kondrashin the 8th and Stepan Razin, Rozhdestvensky the 6th and 9th I think.

For the 11th, I remind you of De Priest/Helsinki, my favourite version
[asin]B0000006X4[/asin]

[vandermolen]

I came to Shostakovich via Ormandy and the 1st Symphony, which was the 'B side' for the premiere recording of the Cello Concerto back in the early '60s.  Then some years later, via Previn and the 5th Symphony, then various symphony releases from Melodiya, Svetlanov the 10th, Kondrashin the 8th and Stepan Razin, Rozhdestvensky the 6th and 9th I think.

For the 11th, I remind you of De Priest/Helsinki, my favourite version
[asin]B0000006X4[/asin]

I have that De Priest version too and enjoy it greatly.

[Mirror Image]

I came to Shostakovich via Ormandy and the 1st Symphony, which was the 'B side' for the premiere recording of the Cello Concerto back in the early '60s.  Then some years later, via Previn and the 5th Symphony, then various symphony releases from Melodiya, Svetlanov the 10th, Kondrashin the 8th and Stepan Razin, Rozhdestvensky the 6th and 9th I think.

For the 11th, I remind you of De Priest/Helsinki, my favourite version
[asin]B0000006X4[/asin]

DePreist is very good indeed in the 11th. He's also recorded several more symphonies: the 5th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 12th. He also recorded the 11th again with the Oregon Symphony. Outside of the 10th and 11th, I haven't heard any of these other performances.

[vandermolen]

Just returned from hearing Symphony 11 live in London (LPO, Jurowski). I think I've seen this work at least twice in live concerts before and I'm sure that during the cataclysmic coda tubular bells are usually used. Jurowski had a row of actual bells on stage and they dominated the last few bars - it was an extraordinary effect - like Boris Godunov. At the end there is usually riotous applause but today the audience were, initially, stunned into complete silence! If you get the chance to hear this performance don't miss it.

I also heard a fine performance of Prokofiev's intensely lyrical First Violin Concerto and the newly discovered 'Funeral Song' by Stravinsky - written after he heard that his teacher Rimsky- Korsakov had died. It must be the most romantic music that Stravinsky wrote and it reminded me of 'The Enchanted Lake' by Lyadov. I also heard 'Russian Funeral' by Britten and Stravinsky's arrangement of 'The Song of the Volga Boatman' which I hadn't realised was the Russian National Anthem for the sadly short-lived Provisional Government of 1917.

A great concert and I enjoyed every work.

[Karl Henning]

Just returned from hearing Symphony 11 live in London (LPO, Jurowski). I think I've seen this work at least twice in live concerts before and I'm sure that during the cataclysmic coda tubular bells are usually used. Jurowski had a row of actual bells on stage and they dominated the last few bars - it was an extraordinary effect - like Boris Godunov. At the end there is usually riotous applause but today the audience were, initially, stunned into complete silence! If you get the chance to hear this performance don't miss it.

I also heard a fine performance of Prokofiev's intensely lyrical First Violin Concerto and the newly discovered 'Funeral Song' by Stravinsky - written after he heard that his teacher Rimsky- Korsakov had died. It must be the most romantic music that Stravinsky wrote and it reminded me of 'The Enchanted Lake' by Lyadov. I also heard 'Russian Funeral' by Britten and Stravinsky's arrangement of 'The Song of the Volga Boatman' which I hadn't realised was the Russian National Anthem for the sadly short-lived Provisional Government of 1917.

A great concert and I enjoyed every work.

Excellent, Jeffrey!