Prom 16: The Hallé performs Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony - 26 July 2023

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

19:30 Wednesday 26 July 2023
Royal Albert Hall

Sergey Rachmaninov: The Bells
Dmitry Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 in D minor

Mané Galoyan soprano
Dmytro Popov tenor
Rodion Pogossov baritone
BBC Symphony Chorus
Hallé Choir
Hallé Orchestra
Sir Mark Elder conductor

[FFAdminMKS]

Rachmaninov’s The Bells opens this all-Russian programme from Sir Mark Elder and the Hallé. Based on an Edgar Allan Poe poem, this magnificent choral symphony blends gothic drama with mystical intensity, haunted by the tolling of the Dies irae chant.

Fear of death also lurks beneath the triumphant fanfares and jollity of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 – the composer’s attempt to satisfy Stalin and the Soviet regime after his career-riskingly provocative opera The Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District.

[Ein Heldenleben]

The tenor in The Bells Dmytro Popov is really , really good . Elder and the Hallé are also playing it superbly - some lovely string sounds and phrasing.

[Petrushka]

A good Shostakovich 5 too. I could have wished for more urgency in the central part of the first movement but the slow movement was exceptionally fine aided by some superb string playing that caught the tragic mood perfectly.

[silvestrione]

A good Shostakovich 5 too. I could have wished for more urgency in the central part of the first movement but the slow movement was exceptionally fine aided by some superb string playing that caught the tragic mood perfectly.

Yes I agree about the middle of the first movement. Wondered if it was deliberate, to go with his sense that the music should be seen as 'autobiographical', rather than 'political'..(false opposition anyway?) Nevertheless the thumping drum at the end felt as bleakly destructive as ever.

[jonfan]

Terrific playing emphasising all over again the composer’s command of orchestration, eg the magical end of the slow movement with unison harp and celesta, the use of the xylophone at climaxes, the canon between flute and horn in the first movement.
Sir Mark obviously loves a huge rit at the end of the work, I haven’t got access to a score but I don’t think Shostakovich wrote one?
A general observation- there’s been superb world class playing from British orchestras over the last two weeks. Bravo to them!!

[Ein Heldenleben]

Terrific playing emphasising all over again the composer’s command of orchestration, eg the magical end of the slow movement with unison harp and celesta, the use of the xylophone at climaxes, the canon between flute and horn in the first movement.
Sir Mark obviously loves a huge rit at the end of the work, I haven’t got access to a score but I don’t think Shostakovich wrote one?
A general observation- there’s been superb world class playing from British orchestras over the last two weeks. Bravo to them!!

There’s a molto rit marked before the big D major moment at the end. There is no rit marked in the closing bars. Big timp show off time that.
I agree re the British orchestras. The BBC Phil have also been putting in some sterling work.

[jonfan]

There’s a molto rit marked before the big D major moment at the end. There is no rit marked in the closing bars. Big timp show off time that.
I agree re the British orchestras. The BBC Phil have also been putting in some sterling work.

Thanks for clarification. I did include the Phil when I wrote ‘British orchestras’ by the way.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Thanks for clarification. I did include the Phil when I wrote ‘British orchestras’ by the way.

Yep I meant “really” rather than “also “

[jonfan]

Yep I meant “really” rather than “also “

They certainly have. Just caught up with their stunning Maher 1.

[Ein Heldenleben]

They certainly have. Just caught up with their stunning Maher 1.

Yes indeed. For me the pick of symphonic perfs this Prom season so far - though I’ve missed a couple.

[Barbirollians]

Pleased to catch up on this tonight as neither last night or today's Prom has appealed to me . I tend to think the Halle deserves more than one Prom it is such a fine orchestra nowadays - excellent choral and solo singing in the Bells - will catch up on the Shostakovich tomorrow

[smittims]

I was deeply impressed by this performance of 'the Bells'. Popov's held top A at the end of the first movement was wonderful, and the choral and orchestral singing and playing throughout was utterly magnificent. I liked the care taken over many small details, such as the repeatedly 'clinking' bell in the second movement.

[ostuni]

Though I did notice (following the IMSLP score) that Popov held that top A for an extra couple of bars longer than notated! (It seems to be a thing with Russian tenors: I’ve seen similar liberties being taken in some of Hermann's top notes in the Queen of Spades)

[smittims]

Thanks,ostuni, I didn't know that. There's a famous high note for the first trumpet in the finale of Elgar's second symphony which enjoys a performing tradition, going back to the composer, of being held a couple of bars longer than printed in the score. Some do it, some don't. I always listen out for it.