The best Shostavovich 10

[Scarpia]

What is the best recording of Shostakovich Symphony No. 10?  The first Shostakovich I ever heard was Karajan's recording of the 10th, the 1981 version, so that one always sounds "right" to me.  However, I've listened to others which have made various impressions.  The Haitink sounds like it should be good, but doesn't do it for me for inexplicable reasons.  Jarvi's recording has a lot going for it, Janson's is more or less in the Haitink catagory for me, and I've just listened to the Rostropovich/LSO on Teldec, which has some moments of brilliant insight, but I get the impression that it does not hang together as well as it could.

In any case, what is the best, in your opinion?

[Renfield]

Karajan 1981 you already know.

Karajan 1967 is fiercer and sharper; I find it hard to decide between it and the above.

Karajan 1969 live is the kind of thing that you (or at least I) 'worry' might blow a hole through the wall opposite your speakers, nigh-unbelievably intense, but the sound is worse than the either studio recording.


Mitropoulos 1954 is very hard to find, but likely the best Shostakovich 10th I've heard not by Karajan.

Mravinsky via the Warner set is also superb, simmering with (Mravinskian, restrained) passion.

Mravinsky via Melodiya has somewhat harsher sound, if I recall correctly, and should be somewhat faster, if comparable.

Kondrashin's I don't remember too well, but I do remember it was a little rough around the edges, by comparison to the above, without having that very last ounce of total conviction that Mitropoulos, also a bit rough, provides.


I have Järvi somewhere, but caught in the Great CD Storage Crisis of 2009-10, and currently still AWOL, unopened.


Jansons hasn't made an impression deep enough to warrant comparison with the above, and though Haitink is technically very sharp, and Shostakovich Jr. is quite affecting, neither (IMO) is in the same league as Mravinsky et al. in this piece.

I strangely can't remember how Barshai's compares to the rest, making me wonder if I've actually ever spun it. And Rostropovich I used to have, but it got misplaced before I had a chance to listen past the 4th, and is currently rather far away...


All in all, if you count recording quality, it'd be a coin-toss between Mravinsky (Warner), and either studio Karajan for me; the three Karajans, Mravinsky and Mitropoulos otherwise. It goes without saying that if you want me to elaborate on something, I'll be happy to.


(I'm just not too keen on unleashing walls of text without knowing the general level of detail desired.)

[Scarpia]

Karajan is good, but I feel that he sort of "Bruckner-izes" it, emphasizes the cataclysmic aspects over the sarcasm, at times. 

Now that you mention it, it is a scandal that I don't have the Mravinsky recording on Erato.  I have the 5 from the same series and found it unbelievable, I must pick it up.  For a while I remember it being hard to find, but it seems to be in print and widely available now.

One other 10 that didn't do it for me was the Ancerl issued on DG originals.  Everyone praises it to the heavens, but to me it was dull. 

[Franco]

I like Ormandy, my recording pairs #4 with #10 and it is one of my favorite Shostakovich recordings.

[Daverz]

I'm still waiting for the Svetlanov on CD.  Since it seems every note he ever recorded is being dumped to CD at a frightening rate, it should be any day now.  In the meantime here's a transfer from an Angel/Melodiya Lp (not an HMV pressing, I'm afraid, but still OK sounding.)

[Josquin des Prez]

I like Karel Ančerl.

[DavidW]

Karajan might be alright but far from the best, pretty good though, better than usual for him.  My impressions are from the "Karajan Gold" recording.

Ancerl and Kondrashin deliver potent performances.  Unfortunately Kondrashin's SQ is not that good, so Ancerl it is.  Honestly though there are alot of terrific performances as long as the conductor doesn't wallow in beauty of sound like Karajan, play it super slow like Litton, or make it sound over-romanticized like Ormandy, it works for me.

And actually I'm quite satisfied with Barshai!

[Moldyoldie]

I have trouble dealing in "bests", but one of my favorites is certainly the Sanderling/BSO.  Others I've enjoyed are Previn/LSO, Shipway/RPO, De Preist/HPO, and the aforementioned Järvi/SNO and Karajan/BPO/'82.  Whether it be compelling performance or thrilling sound, all have something to recommend them.

I've yet to hear the vaunted Mravinsky or Mitropolous.  IIRC, my introduction to the work was a Melodiya LP with the USSR Symphony Orchestra conducted by Svetlanov.

[snyprrr]

Never made it passed the classic Karajan.

Never made it passed Stokowski in 11.

[Brahmsian]

I like Ormandy, my recording pairs #4 with #10 and it is one of my favorite Shostakovich recordings.

Ditto!!  Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra! 

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

I haven't yet heard one which clearly blew away the competition.

Karajan II was my intro to the work. It did convince me this was an awesomely great symphony, which is a point in its favor. Haven't heard Karajan I.

Järvi is all-around excellent, with more fire than one usually gets from this conductor.

Mravinsky/Melodiya has the usual Mravinsky intensity, but is a live recording with not-so-great sonics and execution. Still, it does grab you by the throat.

I just got Skrowaczewski. First impression is that it's a very good "central" performance, but the orchestra isn't as powerful as it should be.

Ancerl is a good performance overall, but I think it's been overpraised - not enough blood and grit.

[MichaelRabin]

Karajan 1969 live is the kind of thing that you (or at least I) 'worry' might blow a hole through the wall opposite your speakers, nigh-unbelievably intense, but the sound is worse than the either studio recording.

All in all, if you count recording quality, it'd be a coin-toss between Mravinsky (Warner), and either studio Karajan for me; the three Karajans, Mravinsky and Mitropoulos otherwise. It goes without saying that if you want me to elaborate on something, I'll be happy to.

(I'm just not too keen on unleashing walls of text without knowing the general level of detail desired.)

More comments on 1969 Karajan live in Moscow on Melodiya please.
Apparently, the BPO played 200% of its capacity - an overwhelming concert in Mariss Jansons ears.

[Renfield]

(Apologies for the delay - an exam got in the way.)

More comments on 1969 Karajan live in Moscow on Melodiya please.
Apparently, the BPO played 200% of its capacity - an overwhelming concert in Mariss Jansons ears.

I think the part in bold sums it up perfectly. It's the 1967 studio recording, only on fairly literal overdrive.

The reading is similar in outline to the '67, following the generally Brucknerised (as well-encapsulated by Scarpia) aesthetic that Karajan brought to the piece, and significantly more top-heavy than the approach of the later digital version; only, to take a tangential cue, the Moscow recording is like Barbirolli's live Bruckner 8th on BBC Legends, one long, hard-driven crescendo of total intensity.

And much like that Bruckner 8th, it's not a recording I'd want to have alone. It's not a reference version, but more of a special, powerful and draining kind of recording to listen to once in a while and remember what can be done with (to?) this symphony.


Thus, this is for those interested in a) historic recordings of the work, b) historical performances by Karajan, and/or c) a Shostakovich 10th phrased and played in a manner committed entirely to every ounce of violence and volatility one can draw out of this score.


Edit: On a Karajan-irrelevant note, I have the feeling I might have that Svetlanov mentioned above in that infamous stack of unopened recordings from last year... I'll have a look when I search for his Brahms cycle that I certainly have, next week.

[MichaelRabin]

Thanks Renfield for your extensive reply.

[False_Dmitry]

Two recordings appear to have slipped through the cracks.  Polyansky's account of the 10th Symphony is a worthwhile performance indeed, although I admit I bought the disk for the "filler item" - a rare chance to hear DSCH's unfinished slapstick musical, "The Great Lightning".

But is nobody going to mention Haitink, at all?     I know he's a conductor who produces polarised opinions, but he has the measure of the 10th, and more to spare, IMHO.  It's a gripping reading of the piece with the LPO - it's been unavailable for quite some time, I believe?

Even so, if I was being set adrift in an open boat for my sins, with only a solar-powered mp3-player for company, then I'd want Mravinsky.  You need the sound of Russian brass (they play on substantially different instruments) in this repertoire, and the BPO just don't cut it for me.  Oh, and I have  lifetime allergy to Karajan, but that's another issue

[Scarpia]

But is nobody going to mention Haitink, at all?     I know he's a conductor who produces polarised opinions, but he has the measure of the 10th, and more to spare, IMHO.  It's a gripping reading of the piece with the LPO - it's been unavailable for quite some time, I believe?

Even so, if I was being set adrift in an open boat for my sins, with only a solar-powered mp3-player for company, then I'd want Mravinsky.

I mentioned Haitink in the first post of the thread.  My copy of the Mravinsky/Lenningrad (a love recording from the 70's, issued by Erato) just arrived today.

[False_Dmitry]

I mentioned Haitink in the first post of the thread.  My copy of the Mravinsky/Lenningrad (a love recording from the 70's, issued by Erato) just arrived today.

Aha, missed your earlier Haitink mention.  But you now have the best one, so you can pack all the others away

[vandermolen]

I like Karel Ančerl.

Me too. It is on DGG. I also like Previn's (especially the slower tempo of the manic second movement - an interesting take on it). Mitropoulos delivers a towering performance - probably my favourite.

[Daverz]

I might have that Svetlanov mentioned above in that infamous stack of unopened recordings from last year...

On CD or Lp?

[Renfield]

On CD or Lp?

CD - I'm not quite old enough for the latter! And I've just confirmed remotely, I have the 1st, 5th and 7th. So no Svetlanov 10th.