Shostakovich Symphony Showdown: the 5th vs. the 10th

[Cato]

My favourites are 2, 4, 6 and 8...none of those are on this poll. I haven't come across many symphonies more awesome than those four really.

Using those same numbers, check out (roughly) contemporaries Hartmann and Krenek and using 2, 4, 6 try Prokofiev and Toch.

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

The 2nd? Really? I don't think much of it. The 6th is seriously underrated IMHO. Following up the 5th was no easy task.

The 2nd is my very favourite. It's a profound work which seems to pack more stuff into its 20 minute run time than anything else Shostakovich wrote.

[Mirror Image]

The 2nd is my very favourite. It's a profound work which seems to pack more stuff into its 20 minute run time than anything else Shostakovich wrote.

The 8th is the greatest thing he wrote IMHO. Everything else that I enjoy from him is merely good. I should plan a revisit of the 2nd at some point. The best I can remember it has this 'machine-age Prokofiev' feel throughout the symphony.

[ComposerOfAvantGarde]

The 8th is the greatest thing he wrote IMHO. Everything else that I enjoy from him is merely good. I should plan a revisit of the 2nd at some point. The best I can remember it has this 'machine-age Prokofiev' feel throughout the symphony.

I love the 8th too. In terms of the 2nd, I think some of the best moments are the quiet moments...it always feels like a step into some kind of bizarre new universe which was only ever pondered upon in the soundworld of the 1st symphony.

[Bogey]

Had a chance to take in 10 last night.  10 I enjoyed more so than 5.  Nothing against 5, just fell into the music more.  However, I have to say that Shosty's music  is like that for me.  That is, his music, more than most other classical composers is a mood thing for me.  For example, if I hear a Beethoven symphony, my opinion/feeling on the piece rarely changes from the last time I listened to it.  With Shostakovich, my mood when listening to a certain piece seems to drive whether I enjoyed it or whether I turn to a different composition.  The only other musician that is like this for me is later John Coltrane.  If the mood and setting is right, then their music becomes surreal in the most positive of ways.  I remember one rainy night driving across town needing to purchase an electronic item and having India from the Village Vanguard set/(November 1 recording) playing and not wanting it to end.  I have played this same track many times sense and not been able to recreate that incredible listening moment.  Same type of deal with Shostakovich.  Probably why my listening of his works is so spotty.

[Karl Henning]

The Second is really a blast.  I an entirely understand enthusiasm for it.