Dmitri's Dacha

[krummholz]

Indeed, I love all of the string quartets. I have yet to hear the Preludes and Fugues but will make it a point to explore them. Of the symphonies, the 14th is one of my favorites, if not my single favorite. I also love the 4th, 5th, 8th, 10th, and 15th. I have yet to hear the 12th -- the only one of DSCH's symphonies that I have not heard.

[relm1]

Overall I think the string quartets are his best music. I have a particular fondness for the mellow, easy-going 6th.

Which recording/ensemble please?

[relm1]

Indeed, I love all of the string quartets. I have yet to hear the Preludes and Fugues but will make it a point to explore them. Of the symphonies, the 14th is one of my favorites, if not my single favorite. I also love the 4th, 5th, 8th, 10th, and 15th. I have yet to hear the 12th -- the only one of DSCH's symphonies that I have not heard.

The 12 is a bit controversial because it is probably his most overtly Soviet symphony with not much subtext unlike the rest of his output which tends to be multilayered and offer up their secrets slowly.  I am generalizing here but I think that is part of why it doesn't resonate as much as the others but I still love it and its very exciting when heard live.  I really like the Bernard Haitink Decca recording.  It is also probably his most bombastic work and for DSCH, that is saying something!

[Herman]

Which recording/ensemble please?

Borodin (ca 1980); Pacifica, and sometimes Emerson.

[Irons]

Which recording/ensemble please?

I have to answer your question through gritted teeth. Vinyl rules the world (my world) and on LP I have complete sets from the Borodin and Fitzwilliam and single issues including the likes of Beethoven, Smetana, Gabrielli, Weller and Janacek ensembles. All top choices but for me in this body of works CD rules. Olympia issued the complete set recorded in the 1980's by the Shostakovich SQ. There is a frisson in the playing that beats even the early Borodin. The recording is on the edge but never tips over. I love the set - even if it is CD.

[krummholz]

I have the early Borodin for all but #7 and #8... though I prefer the later Borodin in #3.

[Madiel]

The more genres of Shostakovich I explore, the less convinced I am that there's a specific genre he excels in.

Though the string quartets probably are one of the more consistent collections.

[vandermolen]

The 12 is a bit controversial because it is probably his most overtly Soviet symphony with not much subtext unlike the rest of his output which tends to be multilayered and offer up their secrets slowly.  I am generalizing here but I think that is part of why it doesn't resonate as much as the others but I still love it and its very exciting when heard live.  I really like the Bernard Haitink Decca recording.  It is also probably his most bombastic work and for DSCH, that is saying something!

I've always liked No.12, usually, along with 2 and 3 considered the least successful. It tends to get dismissed as it is heroic-propagandistic and does not lend itself to subversive analysis, unlike its two neighbours, nos. 11 and 13. And yet I've always found it to be quite an exciting score. I must listen to the Haitink as I have his set and think that his No.13 is the best version of all.

[Roasted Swan]

I've always liked No.12, usually, along with 2 and 3 considered the least successful. It tends to get dismissed as it is heroic-propagandistic and does not lend itself to subversive analysis, unlike its two neighbours, nos. 11 and 13. And yet I've always found it to be quite an exciting score. I must listen to the Haitink as I have his set and think that his No.13 is the best version of all.

I agree with you completely.  Re No.13 - I think that is THE great standout success of the Barshai box set - the Haitink/Concertgebouw is excellent but for me Barshai shades it...... (more to add to your short listening list!)

[vandermolen]

I agree with you completely.  Re No.13 - I think that is THE great standout success of the Barshai box set - the Haitink/Concertgebouw is excellent but for me Barshai shades it...... (more to add to your short listening list!)

Indeed! I do have the Barshai set in a large red Shostakovich box somewhere.

[relm1]

I've always liked No.12, usually, along with 2 and 3 considered the least successful. It tends to get dismissed as it is heroic-propagandistic and does not lend itself to subversive analysis, unlike its two neighbours, nos. 11 and 13. And yet I've always found it to be quite an exciting score. I must listen to the Haitink as I have his set and think that his No.13 is the best version of all.

I prefer Okko Kamu on 13 over Haitink, but Haitink is very, very solid.

[vandermolen]

I prefer Okko Kamu on 13 over Haitink, but Haitink is very, very solid.

Didn't know there was a Kamu recording. Interesting!

[Roasted Swan]

Didn't know there was a Kamu recording. Interesting!

Its the Chandos/CBSO recording.  I like Kamu a lot but personally prefer Haitink/Barshai in this instance

[MusicTurner]

The 12 is a bit controversial because it is probably his most overtly Soviet symphony with not much subtext unlike the rest of his output which tends to be multilayered and offer up their secrets slowly.  I am generalizing here but I think that is part of why it doesn't resonate as much as the others but I still love it and its very exciting when heard live.  I really like the Bernard Haitink Decca recording.  It is also probably his most bombastic work and for DSCH, that is saying something!

Agree with everything here.

[Undersea]

Hello fellow Shostakovich heads - I am looking for a bit more information on these 2 Cycles (which were mentioned a few pages back):



This set can be found for a good price at the moment - what I would like to know is are the recordings live like Kitajenko's Prokofiev Cycle?.



One of the reviews I read of this Cycle said that the tempos were a bit faster than usual which sounded appealing - any truth to that?.

Thanks for your help!

[Maestro267]

It's funny, cos No. 12 is one of my favourites, even with its flaws. Yes, the "programme" is far more successful in No. 11, but No. 12 still works well as music. There are some thrilling passages in there, and the slow movement has some wonderful moments too. And the ending is no more bombastic than that of No. 7.

[Roasted Swan]

Hello fellow Shostakovich heads - I am looking for a bit more information on these 2 Cycles (which were mentioned a few pages back):



This set can be found for a good price at the moment - what I would like to know is are the recordings live like Kitajenko's Prokofiev Cycle?.



One of the reviews I read of this Cycle said that the tempos were a bit faster than usual which sounded appealing - any truth to that?.

I can't speak for the Sanderling set - not heard it at all.  I do know Kitajenko Shostakovich and Prokofiev.  Very well played and recorded.  As with much Kitajenko he tends for quite individual, epic interpretations.  Rarely my absolute favourite but always interesting and insightful.  I suppose because I grew up on old Melodiya LP's from Kondrashin and Svetlanov I do tend to prefer that more raw/'catastrophic' approach to DSCH but I do listen to Kitajenko a lot as I enjoy having my preconceptions challenged.  If the price is good I would not hesitate.

Thanks for your help!

[Undersea]

I can't speak for the Sanderling set - not heard it at all.  I do know Kitajenko Shostakovich and Prokofiev.  Very well played and recorded.  As with much Kitajenko he tends for quite individual, epic interpretations.  Rarely my absolute favourite but always interesting and insightful.  I suppose because I grew up on old Melodiya LP's from Kondrashin and Svetlanov I do tend to prefer that more raw/'catastrophic' approach to DSCH but I do listen to Kitajenko a lot as I enjoy having my preconceptions challenged.  If the price is good I would not hesitate.

Cheers - Do you know if the Cycle consists of Live recordings though? (I'm sure the Kitajenko is nice, I'm just looking for something different to what I've already got in my collection...)

[Roasted Swan]

Cheers - Do you know if the Cycle consists of Live recordings though? (I'm sure the Kitajenko is nice, I'm just looking for something different to what I've already got in my collection...)

Not all; 1, 4, 7, 8, 11, 15 are live but from memory with little or no audience noise (to be honest can't remember that kind of detail!)

[Undersea]

Not all; 1, 4, 7, 8, 11, 15 are live but from memory with little or no audience noise (to be honest can't remember that kind of detail!)

Thanks for that (that information is very helpful!) - I'm still interested in the set if it contains a mixture of Live/Session recordings; I think I will probably add the Kitajenko cycle to my Cart shortly...