Shostakovich Leningrad Symphony Petrenko

[Barbirollians]

I have only given this one hearing but it strikes me as magnificent on that hearing . Absolutely gripping .

[Simon]

I have only given this one hearing but it strikes me as magnificent on that hearing . Absolutely gripping .

Thanks for the recommendation. An absolute masterpiece, of course, and I have yet to hear a version that didn't move me. The last time I heard it was on R3, probably last year. Can't recall offhand the orchestra/conductor. The only version I have is Jarvi with the SNO.

[jean]

I have not heard the recording yet, but Petrenko and the RLPO were overwhelming when they did it live last year.

[amateur51]

I have not heard the recording yet, but Petrenko and the RLPO were overwhelming when they did it live last year.

Good old Presto are offering 20% off and give us the opportunity to hear a minute from each movement.

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/r/Naxos/8573057#listen

[BBMmk2]

I have three cds of this work buit at Naxos's prices, it wouldnt hurt to have this one!

[Petrushka]

There are 18 versions of the 'Leningrad' on my shelves with the later Gergiev and Nelsons currently on my wish list. Nevertheless, this new Petrenko looks highly desirable.

And how ironic that Leningrad should live on in the title of Shostakovich's symphony!

[Zucchini]

There are already quite a few tweets of stunned congratulation to the CBSO/Nelsons after last night's performance at the RFH. Including this re final bar:

"Well that was the loudest thing I've ever heard in the RFH. I had a clue when the woodwind put in earplugs!"

You shouldn't buy CDs of music like that.

[johnb]

Petrenko's Shostakovich is very good - BUT I won't be buying any more of his Naxos recordings the one I did buy had consistent clipping of the loud passages. Bad!

[richardfinegold]

Petrenko's Shostakovich is very good - BUT I won't be buying any more of his Naxos recordings the one I did buy had consistent clipping of the loud passages. Bad!

I bought downloads of 5&10 and and had no such issues.

[johnb]

Richard,

The problem I had was with No 10. I bought it as a FLAC download from The Classical Shop and, when I saw the clipping, complained. They sourced a new file from Naxos which was exactly the same. To satisfy my own curiosity I actually bought the CD as well, and that also had the same clipping.

The brass timbres in the climaxes tend to mask the clipping, merely showing as a coarsening of the sound.

[VodkaDilc]

Wonderful performance from the CBSO in the Proms last year! I ordered the Petrenko from Presto last week.

[LaurieWatt]

I have not heard the recording yet, but Petrenko and the RLPO were overwhelming when they did it live last year.

I am a big fan of Petrenko and have met him. He has an outrageous sense of humour and is a delight to converse with, being completely without any folie des grandeurs, although clearly remarkable as a musician he undoubtedly is.

However, I went to his performance of Shostakovich's Leningrad Symphony in Liverpool at the beginning of last year and whilst there were truly great things in it and it was very well played, I was by the end a bit conscious, and said at the time to colleagues who were there with me, that his perfomance had something of: 'Look what we can do in this Symphony; look how fabulously quietly we can play; listen to this detail! - and that'. Impressive as so much was, basically, for me, the parts didn't quite add up to the whole, to pervert a metaphor.

I will certainly get his recording unless someone is kind enough to tell me that it derives from the live performance that I went to in January last year, since I do know that his interpretations do mature and develop wonderfully, viz when he did the 11th Symphony with the LPO a couple of years ago. Absolutely stunning performance in every possible way.

[Thropplenoggin]

I am a big fan of Petrenko and have met him. He has an outrageous sense of humour and is a delight to converse with, being completely without any folie des grandeurs, although clearly remarkable as a musician he undoubtedly is.

However, I went to his performance of Shostakovich's Leningrad Symphony in Liverpool at the beginning of last year and whilst there were truly great things in it and it was very well played, I was by the end a bit conscious, and said at the time to colleagues who were there with me, that his perfomance had something of: 'Look what we can do in this Symphony; look how fabulously quietly we can play; listen to this detail! - and that'. Impressive as so much was, basically, for me, the parts didn't quite add up to the whole, to pervert a metaphor.

I will certainly get his recording unless someone is kind enough to tell me that it derives from the live performance that I went to in January last year, since I do know that his interpretations do mature and develop wonderfully, viz when he did the 11th Symphony with the LPO a couple of years ago. Absolutely stunning performance in every possible way.

An interesting read, Laurie.

I struggled with the dynamic range of his DSCH 11, and ended up buying the Haitink version, which I believe has been boosted a little at the beginning, but at least provides a more comfortable audio experience, either on headphones or listening via hifi speakers.

[LaurieWatt]

An interesting read, Laurie.

I struggled with the dynamic range of his DSCH 11, and ended up buying the Haitink version, which I believe has been boosted a little at the beginning, but at least provides a more comfortable audio experience, either on headphones or listening via hifi speakers.

yes, Thropplenoggin, I like Haitink's DSCH 11 very much but have found his set of symphonies to be a bit variable although never being less than good. The most disappointing for me is his 6th with the Concertgebouw, or Royal Concertgebouw as it is now. There is nothing wrong with it except that, particularly with his wonderfully outrageous last two movements they really need to be taken to the edge. His thrilling concert performance at the end of 1984 with the LPO at the RFH really did that and Haitink's RCO sounds so tame by comparison. I am hoping that my recording of Haitink's 6th at the the 1984 concert might appear on the LPO label some time, along with some of the other pieces played at that pair of outstanding concerts. Anyway to my mind the best of Haitink's DSCH series of symphonies are 1, (possibly 2 & 3 but I don't know them well enough to give a clear view - ditto 12); No 4 is ok but has been done better since by the likes of Jarvi and Haitink's live one with the Chicago SO); 9, 10 (although the later live LPO label one is best), 11, 13 and 15. No 8 is good although he plays up the despair when what is really need is sheer resignation. The 7th with the LPO has been done much better - wonderfully, indeed - since with them by both Masur and Jurowski - both of which are in the orchestra's archive!..

[Thropplenoggin]

yes, Thropplenoggin, I like Haitink's DSCH 11 very much but have found his set of symphonies to be a bit variable although never being less than good. The most disappointing for me is his 6th with the Concertgebouw, or Royal Concertgebouw as it is now. There is nothing wrong with it except that, particularly with his wonderfully outrageous last two movements they really need to be taken to the edge. His thrilling concert performance at the end of 1984 with the LPO at the RFH really did that and Haitink's RCO sounds so tame by comparison. I am hoping that my recording of Haitink's 6th at the the 1984 concert might appear on the LPO label some time, along with some of the other pieces played at that pair of outstanding concerts. Anyway to my mind the best of Haitink's DSCH series of symphonies are 1, (possibly 2 & 3 but I don't know them well enough to give a clear view - ditto 12); No 4 is ok but has been done better since by the likes of Jarvi and Haitink's live one with the Chicago SO); 9, 10 (although the later live LPO label one is best), 11, 13 and 15. No 8 is good although he plays up the despair when what is really need is sheer resignation. The 7th with the LPO has been done much better - wonderfully, indeed - since with them by both Masur and Jurowski - both of which are in the orchestra's archive!..

A fine and fascinating summation, LW - always a delight to read your thoughts and anecdotes. I wish you luck with getting the '84 DSCH 6/LPO on disc; I don't doubt for une minute that there would be plenty of takers here.