Shostakovich 5 - has Lenny ever been surpassed

[Barbirollians]

I have ordered the LSO/Previn - I look forward to hearing it as I have always enjoyed his recording of the Sixth Symphony.

[johnb]

You can say that again - much of it has been proved to be factual bunkum, though you wouldn't know it with how many times it's been quoted! It's a great read all the same, just needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.

Well, it has been shown that some of Volkov's claims about the book are verging on the fraudulent and there are all sort of suspicious circumstances about the book, e.g. the Shostakovich signatures, the manuscript being unavailable for inspection, the book not having been published in Russia (when I last checked), heavy criticism from Shostakovich's widow, etc, etc. On the other hand it seems to have been supported by Maxim Shostakovich and Rostropovich said that its contents were correct (or something similar).

It might be that the broad thrust of the contents is generally [Edit] not a million miles from the reality of the times [end edit] but Elizabeth Wilson's book is probably more reliable.

[Barbirollians]

Listening again to the NYPO playing this now for Lenny in 1959 . Previn is going to have to be something to top it.

[BBMmk2]

Previn always took the slow movt at a mightier slower pace than other co nductors.He did this for artistic reasoons, ofcourse, but, goodness, it works very well indeed. More moving IMO.

[3rd Viennese School]

It starts slowly and quietly
Then it gets faster and louder
Crash bang wallop
All quiet again after the excitement.

(3VS official review of Mvt 1 in December 1997)

[Barbirollians]

Previn recording has arrived I shall give it a spin over the weekend.

[Mahlerei]

As an admirer of Wigglesworth's DSCH I'm keen to hear his version of the Fifth. ATM it's coupled with 6 and 10 and seems a tad expensive, so will look out for a good used copy.