Shostakovich's 4th Symphony

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Jez: The Glockenspiel player plays wrong (afaik!) at 23:55 in the last mvmt., and waaaaaahttt! The conclusion in this recording goes like: Don dong "COUGHHHHH!" ding ding... (after 24.00) This guy has stained the mankinds holyest moment!

Sorry about the Glockenspiel (if you're right). And yes, the Grote Zaal (Great Hall) of the Concertgebouw can sound like a sanatorium sometimes.

PS, downloading the Kondrashin now that Jezetha posted.  I'd intended to a long time ago and forgot.    

Thanks so much!  0:)

--Bruce

I'm amazed the link is still working. I uploaded the work to another Rapidshare account, which I let expire in favour of another...

[bhodges]

I think that No 11 is one of those that has to be seen live. I was lucky, many years ago, to hear John Pritchard give a great performance at the Festival Hall in London with the BBC SO.  I was sitting right behind the percussion in the choir seats. It was a very exciting experience. I have the performance on CD as it was briefly available on the defunct label BBC Radio Classics. Maybe it will reemerge one day.

Oh sorry, I remember now that we discussed this before (I think), since I also heard Pritchard do it here in NYC, probably around the same time, and I bought that recording as well!  IIRC the cover art is very beautiful, a drawing of mountainous peaks.

PS, just searched The New York Times and found the review--yikes, from 1987!  Seems like yesterday.

--Bruce

[vandermolen]

Oh sorry, I remember now that we discussed this before (I think), since I also heard Pritchard do it here in NYC, probably around the same time, and I bought that recording as well!  IIRC the cover art is very beautiful, a drawing of mountainous peaks.

PS, just searched The New York Times and found the review--yikes, from 1987!  Seems like yesterday.

--Bruce

Bruce,

I just checked the BBC Radio Classics CD. The concert was on 12th April 1985. I especially remember the climax of the last movement where the percussionist virtually threw himself into the gong!

Jeffrey

[karlhenning]

I especially remember the climax of the last movement where the percussionist virtually threw himself into the gong!

Courage is going from gong to gong without losing enthusiasm, Jeffrey 

[vandermolen]

Courage is going from gong to gong without losing enthusiasm, Jeffrey 

Excellent Karl made me laugh 

Jeffrey

[vandermolen]

This is definitely my favourite cover art for Shostakovich's 4th Symphony. A wonderfully atmospheric photograph, full of foreboding (that is Stalin's image in the background).

[bhodges]

Bruce,

I just checked the BBC Radio Classics CD. The concert was on 12th April 1985. I especially remember the climax of the last movement where the percussionist virtually threw himself into the gong!

Jeffrey

Yes, I recall that, too, now that you mention!  Also Pritchard's face turning very red with all the effort.  And then...my shock, when he died in 1989.  That was my sole experience hearing him conduct, either live or recorded. 

--Bruce

[bhodges]

This is definitely my favourite cover art for Shostakovich's 4th Symphony. A wonderfully atmospheric photograph, full of foreboding (that is Stalin's image in the background).

That *is* a very cool photo, Jeffrey.  How does the performance rank among all the others you have?  (I don't have many Herbig recordings--not for any particular reason.)

--Bruce

[vandermolen]

Yes, I recall that, too, now that you mention!  Also Pritchard's face turning very red with all the effort.  And then...my shock, when he died in 1989.  That was my sole experience hearing him conduct, either live or recorded. 

--Bruce

Me too Bruce. I don't think I saw him conduct again, although possibly at the BBC studios in Maida Vale. V sad.

[vandermolen]

That *is* a very cool photo, Jeffrey.  How does the performance rank among all the others you have?  (I don't have many Herbig recordings--not for any particular reason.)

--Bruce

It is a very good performance (I have it on the CD player at the moment). I will report back when I have got to the end!

[vandermolen]

That *is* a very cool photo, Jeffrey.  How does the performance rank among all the others you have?  (I don't have many Herbig recordings--not for any particular reason.)

--Bruce

Herbig's performance with the Saarbruken Radio SO is beautifully played and recorded (live). Not as manic or bleak as some but totally convincing nonetheless.

[Sef]

Has anyone heard this year's Haitink CSO version on their own label that's up for a Grammy (I believe)? Embarrassed to say that I only heard it live, but have enough versions not to want to buy another. Critique anyone?

[drogulus]

     I can't say I'm happy with the cover for the Haitink cycle:

     

     The glasses are all right but red?

     Am I reading too much into it? _{(a horrible derisive yesss sounds from all directions! )}

   

[greg]

[ezodisy]

lol!

     I can't say I'm happy with the cover for the Haitink cycle:

     The glasses are all right but red?

     Am I reading too much into it? _{(a horrible derisive yesss sounds from all directions! )}

I'm not happy with it either, because no way does that mild mannered, west-is-best interpretation deserve anything like Russian red.

[greg]

lol!



I'm not happy with it either, because no way does that mild mannered, west-is-best interpretation deserve anything like Russian red.

I think I just found my new desktop picture.   0:)

[ezodisy]

you should use this one instead

[greg]

you should use this one instead

lol, i'll save that.  The other one is much easier on the eyes, though....