Kondrashin's Shostakovich

[Bryn]

Posts on various threads have rightly praised Kyrill Kondrashin's recordings of works by Shostakovich. I thought we might have a thread devoted to such recordings.

I will start off by pointing out that those who subscribe to Qobuz can listen to, (though not download in lossless format), the Melodiya Symphonies, etc. set, plus a 1951 recording of the 1st, in 320kbps mp3 format. Non-subscribers can listen to a short clip from each movement.

Also, in addition to his recording of the 4th with the Staatskapelle Dresden mentioned in another thread recently, there is also a recording of the 15th with the same orchestra on the Profil label. Both are very fine.

[Oh, there's also a live 1965 Gromadsky/Kondrashin 13th on Qobuz.]

[Petrushka]

Posts on various threads have rightly praised Kyrill Kondrashin's recordings of works by Shostakovich. I thought we might have a thread devoted to such recordings.

I will start off by pointing out that those who subscribe to Qobuz can listen to, (though not download in lossless format), the Melodiya Symphonies, etc. set, plus a 1951 recording of the 1st, in 320kbps mp3 format. Non-subscribers can listen to a short clip from each movement.

Also, in addition to his recording of the 4th with the Staatskapelle Dresden mentioned in another thread recently, there is also a recording of the 15th with the same orchestra on the Profil label. Both are very fine.

[Oh, there's also a live 1965 Gromadsky/Kondrashin 13th on Qobuz.]

There was also a live Kondrashin account of the 13th Symphony on Russian Disc but this was of the second ever performance on December 20 1962 - is this by any chance the one on Qobuz? The 1962 recording is sensational, an eavesdropping on to history being made and the tension is palpable. It is almost as if all concerned expect to be arrested at any moment so great is the tension in the air.

The re-mastered Melodiya set of the symphonies (plus other works) is a revelation and should be in every DSCH collection. Don't expect sonic miracles but the sound is light years ahead of the previous CD issue in that door stopper of a box. We are incredibly lucky to have such great Shostakovich recordings from those who were close to the composer such as Mravinsky, Kondrashin, Rozhdestvensky, Svetlanov and Rostropovich.

[Bryn]

There was also a live Kondrashin account of the 13th Symphony on Russian Disc but this was of the second ever performance on December 20 1962 - is this by any chance the one on Qobuz?

It would appear not:

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

There was also a live Kondrashin account of the 13th Symphony on Russian Disc but this was of the second ever performance on December 20 1962 - is this by any chance the one on Qobuz? The 1962 recording is sensational, an eavesdropping on to history being made and the tension is palpable. It is almost as if all concerned expect to be arrested at any moment so great is the tension in the air.

This has very recently been reissued on Praga (SACD PRD/DSD 350 089) and is tremendous. As you write, only the work's second performance and a very exciting, tense recording. I wasn't aware that the 1965 recording was still available on Melodiya - I think it was included in a box set of the symphonies released by Venezia (most of us went for the Aulos remastering, which didn't include it). I assume it includes Yevtuschenko’s revised text after further performances were discouraged unless alterations took place?

[Beef Oven!]

Interesting thread, many thanks Bryn.

So what are the recordings/performances that sit behind the Gramophone, Penguin Guide, international music review type magazine reviews that a handful of noisy (recordings fanatics) forumites subscribe to?

[Tapiola]

This has very recently been reissued on Praga (SACD PRD/DSD 350 089) and is tremendous. As you write, only the work's second performance and a very exciting, tense recording.

IGI, how does the sound on the recent Praga compare to that on the earlier Russian Disc incarnation? I acquired the latter second hand and at reasonable price a couple of years ago. Is the sound improved? (I seem to recall being slightly disappointed at the sonic impact of drums and tamtam in the opening movement in comparison with the studio Kondrashin in the Melodiya box.)

[kea]

From the bits of Kondrashin's Melodiya 4th I've been listening to, I'm finding it to appeal significantly more than the Raiskin 4th I listened to recently. The work seems to make more "sense" somehow, even though the playing is not on the same level. Can't speak for the sound as I only have computer speakers at the moment.

[richardfinegold]

Interesting thread, many thanks Bryn.

So what are the recordings/performances that sit behind the Gramophone, Penguin Guide, international music review type magazine reviews that a handful of noisy (recordings fanatics) forumites subscribe to?

There have been quite a few complete Shos Symphony cycles released in the past few years, and there were many recordings of 13 that were not part of cycles, so you are spoiled for choice. The two that I listen to are Masur/NY Phil and on SACD, Kitaenko/Cologne, which may be hard to find.
I am wondering if the Kondrasinsounds at least reasonably contemporary or does one have to make allowance for it's historical origins? Some of those early Soviet Stereo recordings could just sound awful.

[visualnickmos]

There have been quite a few complete Shos Symphony cycles released in the past few years,


I am wondering if the Kondrasin sounds at least reasonably contemporary or does one have to make allowance for it's historical origins? Some of those early Soviet Stereo recordings could just sound awful.

I have Bernstein's DSCH 7th with the NYPO, and it is stunning. So, while we're on complete sets, I really wish Sony would issue a bargain-box of Bernstein's complete DSCH symphonies. I would be first the queue!

I have the Melodiya Kondrashin set, and to be honest, the sound quality is quite variable, (I'm being kind, here) to say the least. That said, it is not actually the set I dip into by choice. I go for Barshai, Rozhdestvensky, Haitink, in no particular order. They all have different and very pertinent merits.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

So, while we're on complete sets, I really wish Sony would issue a bargain-box of Bernstein's complete DSCH symphonies. I would be first the queue!

??? ... when you say "complete", visnick ...

[visualnickmos]

??? ... when you say "complete", visnick ...

Well, I think (and I accept that I may have this wrong) that he has recorded all of them with the NYPO, but on a random and piece-meal basis, and not as part of an ongoing cycle. But why not just stick 'em all in a box? Further expert comment would be much appreciated! Thanks.....

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I didn't think he had, visnick. I hope I'm wrong, but for CBS I thought he had only recorded Symphonies 1, 5, 6, 7, 9 & 14 (all but the 14th re-recorded for DG) and the Second Piano Concerto.

[Beef Oven!]

There have been quite a few complete Shos Symphony cycles released in the past few years, and there were many recordings of 13 that were not part of cycles, so you are spoiled for choice. The two that I listen to are Masur/NY Phil and on SACD, Kitaenko/Cologne, which may be hard to find.
I am wondering if the Kondrasinsounds at least reasonably contemporary or does one have to make allowance for it's historical origins? Some of those early Soviet Stereo recordings could just sound awful.

Yes, some of those Soviet recordings are poor. So long as the Kondrashin isn't as bad as those, it should be alright. I don't place a premium on sound quality, but sometimes poor sound can really detract from the enjoyment of the performance.

[Beef Oven!]

I have Bernstein's DSCH 7th with the NYPO, and it is stunning. So, while we're on complete sets, I really wish Sony would issue a bargain-box of Bernstein's complete DSCH symphonies. I would be first the queue

I have Bernstein's 1962 NYPO DSCH 7 on Sony and it is, as you say, stunning - can't see it being surpassed, ever!

In the absence of a box-set, much pleasure can be had in hunting down very cheap second hand copies on Amazon's market place. Same goes for his Mahler, although here there is much more on offer.

[Petrushka]

Yes, some of those Soviet recordings are poor. So long as the Kondrashin isn't as bad as those, it should be alright. I don't place a premium on sound quality, but sometimes poor sound can really detract from the enjoyment of the performance.

This is the set I have:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shostakovich...n+Shostakovich

I bought mine for much, much less than this ridiculous price but what you are getting is a miracle of remastering. True, it's not state of the art digital but the sound has been improved out of all recognition from earlier pressings, not dissimilar in its way to the reissued, remastered Bernstein Mahler set. The historical context of the Kondrashin discs is self-recommending in my view. But try and get it cheaper if you can. Don't be tempted by any other issues of this set because they do indeed sound very poor.