GMG Listening Group — Shostakovich Symphony № 4 :: 24-30 July 2011

[karlhenning]

By special request, we're going to dig into the magnificent Shostakovich Opus 43 this July.

EDIT ::  Going to push this out a week, again.

[Tapio Dmitriyevich]

Looking forward to it. Haven't cracked No. 4 yet because of its complexity, I didn't see the point in the symphony.

[karlhenning]

We're here for you, buddy.

[Palmetto]

For the benefit of the new guy, how does this work?  Are the pieces nominated usually available as free downloads or on YouTube?  Are there any rules or expectations (other than the obvious: listen to the work)?

[DavidW]

In the past, anyone wanting to follow would be responsible for finding their own recording.  The host acts kind of like a tour guide.  Some use heavy analysis, some keep it simple.  But overall it's awesome.

[Gurn Blanston]

By special request, we're going to dig into the magnificent Shostakovich Opus 43 this July.

I'm down with that. I would like to get under the surface of that one a bit.

[DavidW]

It's one of my favorites.  It used to be my second favorite (with 10th as #1) but over the years the 8th has climbed up to the top.

[vandermolen]

My favourite Shostakovich Symphony (although No 10 is perhaps even greater). I love the bleached out ending - in the darkest gloom.

I have loads of recordings -I especially like Kondrashin but there are many other great versions (Previn for one).

[Mn Dave]

I have it in my Haitink box.

[kishnevi]

I have three recordings--Haitink-CSO Resound, Gergiev, Rostropovich NSO.    Out of the three I prefer the Gergiev.    It's certainly one of my favorite symphonies, although I think I prefer the 8th and 11th to it. 

[Diletante]

I absolutely love this symphony, I'm in!

[jochanaan]

This seems to be one of those compositions you can't simply like; people seem either not to get it at all or to adore it.  I'm one of the adorers, for sure.

[bhodges]

Another adorer here! When I hear this piece I think "This is my favorite Shostakovich symphony" - which is saying something, given some of the others. I got to know it relatively late in my Shostakovich listening, but I'm convinced it's one of his greatest works.

--Bruce

[Tapio Dmitriyevich]

There'll be many listenings necessary for me, so I'm starting early; so please bear with me, bearded referee!-)

I recommend you all to refer to those Videos, this guy has the 4th Symphony in 8 parts with Dutoit and the NHK Symphony orchestra (NHK: very good at Shostakovich!): http://www.youtube.com/user/cgBCisYEModL#g/u - There are also Gergiev videos out there, but not shown in Germany. VERBOTEN! Copyright.

So I listened to it yesterday on my way to work.

The first movement is complex for me, there are so many parts in this -> I'm still sorting out how they relate, I lost overview a bit. This thing is a beast. looong. A lot of struggle, also beauty, somewhere at 19 minutes mark a typical dsch waltz with a rather frightening mood. I like how the main theme is introduced here: (youtube, dutoit, nhk).. and nice ending. Also: The bird from Beethovens sixth is there

2nd movement: cannot tell yet, I thought it was nice.

3rd movement: Basically I was waiting (too long) for the gorgeous finale, the transition into darkness starting about here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI1d8s_yo_A&feature=player_profilepage#t=516s

I think the symphony is pretty hard to crack. Compared to this, the eleventh (I love it!) for instance is veeery easy to understand. In the 4th he seemed to have formed millions of ideas to music...

[eyeresist]

Kondrashin has been my benchmark for this, but I may have to replace him with Rozhdestvensky! (Melodiya recording) This plus 10 and 2 were the highlights of his cycle for me.

I don't think anyone will disagree with you, Tapio, that this isn't the easiest work to get into. Plenty of people insist the structure is actually quite orderly, but not all agree on what the structure actually IS. I think this would be a good case for those multitracked movements that some CDs have. For myself, I don't pretend to understand or even have special fondness for this work, but hopefully this thread will change that.

[MDL]

It's probably my favourite Shostakovich symphony, although I haven't worked out which is my favourite recording. I've got Haitink/LPO/Decca (which I think is underrated), Ormandy/PO/Sony, Barshai/WDR/Brilliant, Jansons/BRSO/EMI (a bit overrated, I think), Rattle/CBSO/EMI (possibly my favourite) and a BBC Magazine CD with Sinaisky/BBCPhil; I attended that Prom in 2000 and a blistering evening it was, too.

What I've heard of Haitink/CSO/Resound has really impressed me. Ditto Previn/CSO/EMI. Any thoughts on Jarvi/RNSO/Chandos which received some great reviews on its release?

[karlhenning]

Delighted that there is such keen interest in the piece!

. . . Any thoughts on Jarvi/RNSO/Chandos which received some great reviews on its release?

A friend lent me his copy of this.  It was recorded in (and perhaps more to the point, the way it was mic'ed, it sounds it, entirely) a too-reverberent space.  In too many places, entirely too tubby for my tastes.

[MDL]

Delighted that there is such keen interest in the piece!

A friend lent me his copy of this.  It was recorded in (and perhaps more to the point, the way it was mic'ed, it sounds it, entirely) a too-reverberent space.  In too many places, entirely too tubby for my tastes.

Hmm, those Scottish Chandos recordings often sound a bit "splashy" and lacking focus to my ears. Have you heard the Rattle?

Actually, I need to hear a Russian band in this piece.

[karlhenning]

I've not heard the Rattle, but I shoud be curious to : )

[Tapio Dmitriyevich]

It's probably my favourite Shostakovich symphony

I'm curious. Simple () question also to the other admires of the work: Why? Maybe it helps the seeking amongst us to find a way to appreciate the work...

Plenty of people insist the structure is actually quite orderly, but not all agree on what the structure actually IS.

Hopefully it's not structured like PI...