BaL 11.11.17 - Shostakovich: Symphony no. 11 (The Year 1905)

[Alison]

Gerard McBurney is one of the foremost authorities on the music of Shostakovich and I could listen to him for hours. Moreover, the best BaL's re those where we learn something new.

..... and reignite our passion for the piece. Well done G McB.

[LaurieWatt]

Sonics shouldn’t be the first consideration most of the time, but in this work, where the atmosphere is the message, great Sonics are crucial. Haven’t heard the Wainer, but the Kitaenko, in SACD, is truly stunning.

I have just acquired the Linn recording with the RSNO under Alexander Lazarev which is a very fine performance. Not mentioned in the BAL. It doesn't always have the tension that Barshai gets from the WDR Symphony Orchestra but the RSNO is a finer band. It is, again, beautifully recorded in Usher Hall with a very wide range and the ending is simply stunning - by far the best of any that I have heard. The Tocsin bell cuts through wonderfully underlain by a wash of tam-tam sound. Thrilling.

[pastoralguy]

I have just acquired the Linn recording with the RSNO under Alexander Lazarev which is a very fine performance. Not mentioned in the BAL. It doesn't always have the tension that Barshai gets from the WDR Symphony Orchestra but the RSNO is a finer band. It is, again, beautifully recorded in Usher Hall with a very wide range and the ending is simply stunning - by far the best of any that I have heard. The Tocsin bell cuts through wonderfully underlain by a wash of tam-tam sound. Thrilling.

I was really busy at work at the time this BaL was being discussed and didn't pay too much attention. As a result, I'd forgotten about this recording, one of the few that Lazarev made with the RSNO. I really must find it.

[richardfinegold]

Gerard McBurney is one of the foremost authorities on the music of Shostakovich and I could listen to him for hours. Moreover, the best BaL's re those where we learn something new.

McBurney did one on the Fourth Symphony for the "beyond The Score" series that was outstanding, which I think was released with the Haitink/CSO recording. Worth seeking out if you enjoyed his discussion of the Eleventh

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

McBurney did one on the Fourth Symphony for the "beyond The Score" series that was outstanding, which I think was released with the Haitink/CSO recording. Worth seeking out if you enjoyed his discussion of the Eleventh

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shostakovich-Symphony-Haitink-Beyond-McBurney/dp/B001BBSE6Y

[Bryn]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shostakovic.../dp/B001BBSE6Y

I have not played that since shortly after I got it around the time of its release. From what I recall, McBurney's contribution was the best thing about the issue. I will have to give Bernie's CSO performance another try.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I have not played that since shortly after I got it around the time of its release. From what I recall, McBurney's contribution was the best thing about the issue. I will have to give Bernie's CSO performance another try.

The thumbs up was for the rfg's McBurney talk recommendation. The CSO performance isn't bad (but there's a gaffe at the end of the Scherzo where it sounds as if the snare drummer misses the instrument and this throws his/her colleagues) but pales in comparison with BH's earlier and quite superb LPO recording.

[Petrushka]

McBurney did one on the Fourth Symphony for the "beyond The Score" series that was outstanding, which I think was released with the Haitink/CSO recording. Worth seeking out if you enjoyed his discussion of the Eleventh

Yes indeed, I have that CD and fully endorse your comments. I heard Haitink and the Chicago SO perform the DSCH 4 at the Proms in 2008.

[BBMmk2]

I'm ordering the Mark Wigglesworth recording. Thanks to you Forumistas!

[mahlerei]

I'm ordering the Mark Wigglesworth recording. Thanks to you Forumistas!

Good call, Bbm!

[Barbirollians]

Hell’s bells isn’t the Houston SO/Stokowski Symphony No 11 fantastic !

[mathias broucek]

Hell’s bells isn’t the Houston SO/Stokowski Symphony No 11 fantastic !

Oh yes!

As an aside, there's a truly insane live Ivanov that's worth hearing. Once.

[mikealdren]

Hell’s bells isn’t the Houston SO/Stokowski Symphony No 11 fantastic !

Yes, it was the LP that introduced me to the work when I was a student.

[BBMmk2]

I Find that Mark Wiggelsworth, is the one. I also have Jansons and Barshai, both of which are very fine recordings.

[Barbirollians]

Yes, it was the LP that introduced me to the work when I was a student.

Lucky you . I have the Petrenko and Barshai but this one knocked my socks off . I did have Rostropovich’s LSO Live record but it has disappeared.