Petrenko's DSCH 8

[LeMartinPecheur]

Have hunted for a thread-mention of this CD but can't find anything

My reason for looking is that I've seen the enthusiasm in magazines and on this board for the Liverpool DSCH symphony recordings but hadn't heard a note of them till last night when a friend played me the 8th. He was scrupulous in not telling me whether he thought it was good or bad. So I listened closely and with considerable anticipation...

All the notes in the right order, wonderful orchestral playing, good tempi, rich sound, but for me not the slightest hint of what I take to be the essence of this work and indeed of Shoster symphonies in general - feelings of tension, disquiet, threat. This was Hollywood DSCH - I was shocked!

My friend felt exactly the same. We then put Kondrashin and Barshai - yep, there was what was so totally lacking in the Petrenko!

Do please tell me, are you RLPO/Petrenko enthusiasts vastly struck with his 8th? Or is it for you a sad falling-away from what's grabbed you in the 5th, 7th, 10th, 11th on these boards?

[Bryn]

Sorry, i am not really qualified to reply. I am no great admirer of Petrenko's Shsotakovich either, though I have tried. Give me Kondrashin, Sanderling, Wigglesworth, et al, any day.

[Nick Armstrong]

Barshai

Coincidentally as I type, I have Barshai in No 5 on loud (neighbours all away! ), second time through. Not sure I've listened to No 8 from the set, must do so. This No 5 is terrific.

I only bought the Petrenko 11, having heard it on CD Revlew. Listened once, seemed fine. But have I listened to it again, or been tempted to acquire any of the others? Nope... Your 'blind' analysis is very interesting...

[Ferretfancy]

What has struck me about the Petrenko is the rather faceless approach in the quieter passages of the symphony, particularly in the last movement. There is some remarkably subtle scoring in the lower strings just before that haunting ending, and Petrenko gets a very generalised sound. Listen to Haitink, for example, and all the strands are clear and make their mark. I'm not too happy with the recording either, it's very much a multitrack mixdown and there's little sense of musicians playing in a recognisable space.

[richardfinegold]

I haven't heard his 8th. I did rather enjoy his 11th but it hasn't displaced others in my list of affection.

[Hornspieler]

I haven't heard his 8th. I did rather enjoy his 11th but it hasn't displaced others in my list of affection.

I have a recording, taken off air of the 8th which we made shortly after Silvestri's appointment to the Bournemouth Orchestra.

A huge task to be undertaken but the result is electrifying!

HOWEVER, the tension and fear that set in resulted in one huge 'domino' (which proves that this is indeed that performance)

Our Xylophonist came in a beat early with that loud interjection in the scherzo - realised her mistake and immediately played the note again in the right place. Is there a gasp of horror on this recording? I'm not sure, but it still makes me jump every time I hear it.

HS

[Petrushka]

Lots of DSCH on my heaving shelves (as well as the floor!) but I was, nevertheless, giving some consideration to purchasing the Petrenko.

Thanks for saving me money, LMP.

[richardfinegold]

Lots of DSCH on my heaving shelves (as well as the floor!) but I was, nevertheless, giving some consideration to purchasing the Petrenko.

Thanks for saving me money, LMP.

The Petrenko 8 is on Spotify, so everyone can have a free listen and then decide if they want to part with their cash.

[richardfinegold]

The Petrenko 8 is on Spotify, so everyone can have a free listen and then decide if they want to part with their cash.

Shamelessly answering my own post, I have just listened. I think LMP is generally right, if perhaps a little harsh. If this were the only recorded account of this great work, we would be glad to have it. aS LMP notes, there are many others that show a greater degree of emotional involvement, and Shostakovich without emotion is rather pointless, IMO. The Petrenko is well played and a generally competent, if routine, rendition.

[BBMmk2]

I must listen to the Barshai recordsing at some point., May do today! Let you know later.

[LaurieWatt]

I must listen to the Barshai recordsing at some point., May do today! Let you know later.

Barshai's first recording with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra on EMI is the one to get if it is still available. Even better than Haitink, in my humble view. Whilst Haitink is, indeed, very fine and very well recorded the emotion which I feel that he highlights is despair; Barshai's with the BSO, equally well recorded in Poole shows that it should be sadness and resignation! Also massively powerful at the climaxes.