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

[LHC]

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)

I don't think this practice is confined to Russian tenors; Italian tenors have been known to hold on their top notes occasionally as well ?

I should also note that Dmytro Popov is Ukrainian, not Russian, and holds the title of ‘Honoured Artist of Ukraine’.

[Barbirollians]

The Shostakovich 5 was outstanding highlight of the season so far for me.

[edashtav]

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.

Spot-on, smittims! I suppose it was a decade ago that Ukrainian tenor, Dmytro Popov broke through with Puccini at Covent Garden and in Sir Simon Rattle’s fine performance / recording of The Bells with the BPO. His voice has lost none of its bloom and vitality. The whole performance was full of felicity. I particularly admired the warm sound of the cor anglais in its important solos. A work which sounds so well in the R.A.H.. Excellent choice for a Prom season and full marks to Sir Mark Elder, the Hallé Orchestra and the BBC Chorus.

[edashtav]

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!!

Sir Mark Elder was clear in his intention to see this as a work straight from Shostakovich’s heart and soul and not a calculated act of political toadying. The work came acriss as a masterpiece and the finale was a fitting culmination to a symphonic debate and dud not sound as mere Soviet rhetoric.

An outstanding and important performance.

[smittims]

Yes, I agree, having caught up with this performance in yesterday's 'Afternoon Concert' repeat. I endorse all the favourable comments here: this was indeed a landmark performance of what is surely one of the 20th-century's masterpieces . How splendidly the Halle are playing at present. As I recall from years ago, one of their keynotes has always been a passionate commitment in certain works.

[Nimrod]

Yes, I agree, having caught up with this performance in yesterday's 'Afternoon Concert' repeat. I endorse all the favourable comments here: this was indeed a landmark performance of what is surely one of the 20th-century's masterpieces . How splendidly the Halle are playing at present. As I recall from years ago, one of their keynotes has always been a passionate commitment in certain works.

I, too, caught up with this concert yesterday. The Bells was an excellent performance and, yes, the Hallé are performing very well these days. As for the Shostakovitch, I was disapointed by what I thought was a studied interpretation, too cool and detached. Not in the same league as previous interpreters such as Svetlanov. I don't like the slowing up for the end of the fourth movement. I first heard this in Birmingham Town Hall when Maxim Shostakovitch conducted the CBSO a few decades ago. Even John Barbirolli and the Hallé get a more impassioned and forceful reading than what I heard yesterday.