BaL 11.10.14 - Shostakovich: Symphony no. 10 in E minor

[Bryn]

... I've also got the Melodiya LP with the same singers but conducted by Rostropovich. The CD (which I haven't got) is currently going for £54 on Amazon I really need this to be reissued as it's one of the truly great Shostakovich recordings.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Symphony-14-...ch+symphony+14

If that's the performance recorded 12 February 1973, then it was also on a Russian Revelation CD which I was fortunate enough to pick up for under £1 in The Works when they were clearing out their stock of remaindered RR CDs. IIRC they were £1 each and buy 2 get one free. I bought in multiples of 3, of course. The 14th is coupled with the 7 Blok Romances (Vishnevskaya, Oistrakh, Rostropovich, Weinberg). The current price via amazon.co.uk is a little higher (ASIN: B000006BBA).

[kea]

Not sure what availability of this recording is like on such as Spotify but

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shostakovich-Symphony-Daniel-Raiskin-Staatsorchester/dp/B005M1M18Q/ref=sr_1_1_digr?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1413471735&sr=1-1

fulfils the 'intense' criterion. It's live, the orchestra(s) is/are playing on the edge of their seats, it has a few rough edges but it's a thrilling performance.

Thanks for the recommendation. I am (somewhat belatedly) listening to this and while there are some unsatisfying moments (though I would not describe these as "rough edges", more as the opposite) it's certainly a powerful performance, and brings to the fore some elements in this piece that seem unique in Shostakovich's output. (Must say my mind wandered a bit near the end of the first movement...)

[visualnickmos]

About Shostakovich's 4th;

if you can find it, the BBC Music Magazine (August 2002) CD version is pretty amazing - it's with Vassily Sinaisky and the BBC Philharmonic. A live recording from the RAH, 20 July 2000. And being live, there is that definite 'edge' to it...

[Bryn]

About Shostakovich's 4th;

if you can find it, the BBC Music Magazine (August 2002) CD version is pretty amazing - it's with Vassily Sinaisky and the BBC Philharmonic. A live recording from the RAH, 20 July 2000. And being live, there is that definite 'edge' to it...

Now spinning here (the Fripp and Scriabin/Nemtin LPs will have to wait). I recall the Prom broadcast of the the 4th and was very pleased to see the recording turn up on a BBCMM cover disc. Four years later it got a companion in the form of Studio 7 recordings of the 15th Symphony and the 2nd Piano Concerto (Martin Roscoe) with the BBCPO under Sinaisky again (BBCMM263 - Vol. 14 No. 6).

[Beef Oven!]

About Shostakovich's 4th;

if you can find it, the BBC Music Magazine (August 2002) CD version is pretty amazing - it's with Vassily Sinaisky and the BBC Philharmonic. A live recording from the RAH, 20 July 2000. And being live, there is that definite 'edge' to it...

Totally agree. I bought it at the time and for quite a while afterwards it was my 'go to' DSCH 4.

[visualnickmos]

Totally agree. I bought it at the time and for quite a while afterwards it was my 'go to' DSCH 4.

Has it been supplanted as your 'go to' DSCH 4th?

[Beef Oven!]

Has it been supplanted as your 'go to' DSCH 4th?

In about 2004/5 I bought the Barshai set and I really like his performance of 4, so I tend to spin that one. I'm trying to stop buying any more music, but the good notices the Jansons DSCH 4 gets on the forum makes it tempting.

[Tapiola]

This is my second favourite account of the work [Shostakovich 14]. For me, the laurels go to the first studio recording, with the same conductor and orchestra but with the soloists Vladimirov (bass) and Miroshnikova (soprano). The latter, to me, outclasses Vishnevskaya in this work - the voice is stunning; her "Suicide" movement almost makes time stand still. This has never been issued on CD.

EDIT: Apparently the first studio Barshai was released, by Venezia label, but is now unavailable. Long overdue a reissue!

UPDATE: Upon further probing, the Barshai/Miroshnikova/Vladimirov studio recording is available via Japanese HMV. I ordered last Monday and received it yesterday! Just over £18 in total, including just over 50% of this as postage and packing. Expensive but worth it. Catching up with this last night, I was struck anew at the quality of the singing. Miroshnikova is by turns suitably unhinged and squawly, rapt and sensitive. The bass soloist, Vladimirov, is sepulchral and secure throughout. The Moscow CO strings are tight and incisive, the percussionists menacing. Oh I love it...

[Nick Armstrong]

May I draw honourable members' attention to this new release?

http://www.lpo.org.uk/recordings-and-gifts/search-recordings/4206-cd-shostakovich-symphonies-6-14.html

[amateur51]

May I draw honourable members' attention to this new release?

http://www.lpo.org.uk/recordings-and...nies-6-14.html

What a release, song texts included praise be!

I was at RFH for the symphony no 6 and it was a wonderful performance - let's hope it has been 'caught' well by Mike & his pals

[Petrushka]

May I draw honourable members' attention to this new release?

http://www.lpo.org.uk/recordings-and...nies-6-14.html

This one is down on my Christmas wish list and as it is the CD of the month in BBC Music Mag I'm more eager than ever to hear it.

I've heard the 14th in concert just the once: Arvid Jansons (Mariss's father) with the Halle in 1978. I've use the printed programme for that concert ever since when listening to recordings as so few actually include the text. Incidentally, that 1978 concert consisted of the same two works on the Jurowski disc.

[Barbirollians]

Ormandy’s version of the Tenth which was apparently nla at the time of this BAL is now back in a small cheap box of all his Shostakovich recordings on Sony - though despite the RCA link up not his 13-15.

I have just listened to it this morning and agree that it is outstanding. I found it very moving. The 1st and 5th are very good too and also very pleased to be reacquainted with his legendary Cello Concerto No 1 with Rostropovich. Just the Fourth to listen to.

[Bryn]

Ormandy’s version of the Tenth which was apparently nla at the time of this BAL is now back in a small cheap box of all his Shostakovich recordings on Sony - though despite the RCA link up not his 13-15.

I have just listened to it this morning and agree that it is outstanding. I found it very moving. The 1st and 5th are very good too and also very pleased to be reacquainted with his legendary Cello Concerto No 1 with Rostropovich. Just the Fourth to listen to.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Conducts-Sh.../dp/B082BXFM9R or at a very much higher price for the download from QOBUZ: https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/eu.../krt3rr883yjyc

[Barbirollians]

Bargain indeed - listened to the Fourth this afternoon .Also very fine if not quite as dark as Rattle but defiant and superbly played.