Shostakovich Symphonies

[Tyson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel Tyson have you heard the Jarvi/Chandos & DG Shosty series? This is really what you want I think, just to make sure my memory wasn't going bad just compared Jansons/M Shostakovich/Jarvi 10th and belive me the Jarvi is much more vigorous and free spirited while still preserving all the subtle shadings with better sound than even Jansons.....unfortunately used CDs of Jarvi's Shosty go for high prices as you might expect. You can tell from Jarvis excellent Prokofiev Symphony set that he has a good feel for modern Russian sound.

My library has the Jarvi 1, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 15, so I'm checking it out this week

 

[DarkAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyson My library has the Jarvi 1, 5, 6, 9, 10, and 15, so I'm checking it out this week

Library comes in handy again.............1,5,6,9,10 are Chandos label, 15 is DG
plus a couple of those CDs have nice filler dance suites/overtures

 

[DarkAngel]

Finished the Jansons/EMI set and at the bargain price it is selling for no reason to not pick this up, a solid set.

CT (classics today) rated set 9/9 as I recall, I agree with the 9 for sound quality but I would probably go with 8/9 rating overall. Like any set some performances are better than others and some of the main pieces like 5,6,7,10 come off very good but I would prefer just a bit more intensity and edge like Kondrashin etc. I find Jansons finished pieces strong with thrilling climaxes but can drag slightly through some longer passages.

Although it is interesting to have many different orchestras in set this maybe what keeps my performance rating at 8......if entire set was done with Oslo or Bavarian RSO I suspect Jansons would acheive a 9/9

My very initial listens to Maxim Shostakovich./Supraphon set would just reverse the Jansons numbers, 9/8 with more spontaneous live performances but sound quality not as rich, detailed or widely dynamic......will continue listening. DH from CT is right about the wonderful unique woodwind details that come out strongly in this set which I really like........CT rated set 9/9

The Kondrashin/Aulos set I rate 10/6 as Aulos has cleaned up sound from old Melodiya releases but still will not be mistaken for good modern recordings, there can be some odd balances and unusual close up miking of instruments in spots, very intense, exciting performances.

The Jarvi/Chandos I would rate 9/10 with fabulous warm spacious Chandos sound, and his DG works average 9/9

Barshai/Brilliant Classics set I rate 7/9, cheapest set and very good sound
Haitink/London set I rate 7/10 and would prefer this slightly over Barshai overall, great sound quality.

Nothing yet has acheived the mythical 10/10 (which seems to happen everyday at CT) for me with Shostakovich........closest would be Jarvi/Chandos partial set at 9/10

 

[seacard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel Finished the Jansons/EMI set and at the bargain price it is selling for no reason to not pick this up, a solid set. CT (classics today) rated set 9/9 as I recall, I agree with the 9 for sound quality but I would probably go with 8/9 rating overall. Like any set some performances are better than others and some of the main pieces like 5,6,7,10 come off very good but I would prefer just a bit more intensity and edge like Kondrashin etc. I find Jansons finished pieces strong with thrilling climaxes but can drag slightly through some longer passages. Although it is interesting to have many different orchestras in set this maybe what keeps my performance rating at 8......if entire set was done with Oslo or Bavarian RSO I suspect Jansons would acheive a 9/9 My very initial listens to Maxim Shostakovich./Supraphon set would just reverse the Jansons numbers, 9/8 with more spontaneous live performances but sound quality not as rich, detailed or widely dynamic......will continue listening. DH from CT is right about the wonderful unique woodwind details that come out strongly in this set which I really like........CT rated set 9/9 The Kondrashin/Aulos set I rate 10/6 as Aulos has cleaned up sound from old Melodiya releases but still will not be mistaken for good modern recordings, there can be some odd balances and unusual close up miking of instruments in spots, very intense, exciting performances. The Jarvi/Chandos I would rate 9/10 with fabulous warm spacious Chandos sound, and his DG works average 9/9 Barshai/Brilliant Classics set I rate 7/9, cheapest set and very good sound Haitink/London set I rate 7/10 and would prefer this slightly over Barshai overall, great sound quality. Nothing yet has acheived the mythical 10/10 (which seems to happen everyday at CT) for me with Shostakovich........closest would be Jarvi/Chandos partial set at 9/10

What about the Kitajenko? I assume you would rate it something like 6/10 or 7/10, but not sure.

 

[JayG]

Well, I really wish I could find any kind of information on the wuality of Venezia's transfers. You can get the Venezia versions of the Kondrashin, Rozhdestvensky, and Mravinsky sets on HMV for about $10 more than the Aulos Kondrashin set.

Unfortunately, I used an online translator to try to read some of the user comments on HMV, but they were pretty hard to understand. Some complained of sound quality, but I don't know whether thats due to the transfers or the original recordings.

If I can't find any info, I'll probably just suck it up and buy the Aulos set, since I know they are great transfers and the Kondrashin set is the one I want most.

-Jay

 

[DarkAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayG Well, I really wish I could find any kind of information on the wuality of Venezia's transfers. You can get the Venezia versions of the Kondrashin, Rozhdestvensky, and Mravinsky sets on HMV for about $10 more than the Aulos Kondrashin set. Unfortunately, I used an online translator to try to read some of the user comments on HMV, but they were pretty hard to understand. Some complained of sound quality, but I don't know whether thats due to the transfers or the original recordings. If I can't find any info, I'll probably just suck it up and buy the Aulos set, since I know they are great transfers and the Kondrashin set is the one I want most. -Jay

Absolutely must have the Kondrashin set immediately.........if for no other reason than to see how far the envelope can be pushed without cash & burn, a real thrill ride for sure!

If I had to chose between Maxim Shostakovich and Jansons sets I would give slight edge to MS, but it does cost more and the CDs come in very cheap white paper sleeves in hard outer box.

Seacard
Have not heard Kitajenko set, but comments posted by others here indicate it has excellent sound quality.......I know nothing about him and have no other CDs in my large collection with him as conductor, a mystery to me???

 

[JayG]

DA - Now that you love the Kondrashin set and other madcap type interpretations so much, will your MS/Barshai/Jansons sets get any listening time? Is the sound quality difference enough to make you reach for one of those conductors every once in a while?

And if you're looking for good sound quality with a performance closer to Kondrashin, maybe you should pick up Kitajenko at that generous Amazon.de price and let us all know how it compares to the other cycles.

I swear, the peer pressure around here is worse than middle school.

-Jay

 

[Tyson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayG And if you're looking for good sound quality with a performance closer to Kondrashin, maybe you should pick up Kitajenko at that generous Amazon.de price and let us all know how it compares to the other cycles. I swear, the peer pressure around here is worse than middle school. -Jay

And to prove your point, I just pushed the button over at amazon.de

Your description sounds exactly like what I'm looking for. Plus I'll be able to directly compare it to the handful of Jarvi recordings I'm picking up at the library. Fun stuff. Head-Fi is a blessing and a curse. If it weren't for this place I'd have never bought the Kitajenko since it's $135 at amazon.com.

 

[BAwig05]

Leonard Bernstein recorded some stunning Shostakovich at the end of his life, for DG. This includes his (only) recorded work with the Chicago Symphomny Orchestra.

As a side note, this box set also includes his complete DG Stravinsky recordings. which are unique I suppose for his use of Israli and English Orchestras as opposed to the European ones he generally used in his late years.

All this history is beside the point, this is Lenny at his element.

Shostakovich: Symphonies 1, 7, 9
Stravinsky: Les Noces, Symphony in C, Rite of Spring, etc.

 

[JayG]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyson And to prove your point, I just pushed the button over at amazon.de Your description sounds exactly like what I'm looking for.

Eek! I hope you didn't order the Kitajenko based only on what I said. I don't own it. I was just saying that if a cycle such as the one I described is what DA was looking for, he should buy the Kitajenko and tell us all if it fits the bill.

I guess it's up to you now, though. We will all await your impressions with bated breath. My Shostakovich collection is modest compared to the rest of my classical collection and an area which I have known I need to improve for a while. I'm getting ready to make some significant Shosty purchases, so I'm counting on those of you who have already done some significant exploring to steer me in the right direction. And apparently I'm doing a good job making that happen seeing as how it appears I've accidentally(?) tricked Tyson into the Kitajenko purchase.

-Jay

 

[JayG]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayG I ordered the Temirkanov 5&6 from Yourmusic and it has just arrived. I didn't see the Gramophone review, but I will report back here once I have listened.

I forgot I owed you guys some impressions on this disc. I must say I was disappointed. It's not horrible, but normally I like Temirkanov very much, and this one doesn't live up to his standards. His interpretations are a little too tame for me, and though he clearly has thought them through and gives us a professional performance, they just don't have enough energy. Also, the orchestral playing came off too polished for my liking in these works. The players are very competent (except for the horn players, who turn in a muddled, weak performance), but for Shostakovich I like a sound that is more raw and edgy. It just felt like the struggle was lost. The 6th comes off a little better than the 5th, but I wouldn't feel too bad to lose either of them.

-Jay

 

[DarkAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAwig05 Leonard Bernstein recorded some stunning Shostakovich at the end of his life, for DG. This includes his (only) recorded work with the Chicago Symphomny Orchestra. As a side note, this box set also includes his complete DG Stravinsky recordings. which are unique I suppose for his use of Israli and English Orchestras as opposed to the European ones he generally used in his late years. All this history is beside the point, this is Lenny at his element. Shostakovich: Symphonies 1, 7, 9 Stravinsky: Les Noces, Symphony in C, Rite of Spring, etc.

Good timing..........just to keep my perspective on things pulled out the old warhorse 2CD Bernstein/CSO/DG Shosty 1,7 after listening to Jansons and Maxim S. versions of 7th in those sets and they both sound lightwieght and restrained compared to this titanic Bernstein jaggernaut, sheds new light on things.........if only Bernstein had complete Shosty set!

Haven't heard the Bernstein DG 9th but do have the excellent older NYPO/Sony 5,7,9.......also interesting trivia that DG 7th was only CSO recording for Bernstein, what a shame to be denied more performances like that.

 

[seacard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayG Eek! I hope you didn't order the Kitajenko based only on what I said. I don't own it. I was just saying that if a cycle such as the one I described is what DA was looking for, he should buy the Kitajenko and tell us all if it fits the bill. I guess it's up to you now, though. We will all await your impressions with bated breath. My Shostakovich collection is modest compared to the rest of my classical collection and an area which I have known I need to improve for a while. I'm getting ready to make some significant Shosty purchases, so I'm counting on those of you who have already done some significant exploring to steer me in the right direction. And apparently I'm doing a good job making that happen seeing as how it appears I've accidentally(?) tricked Tyson into the Kitajenko purchase. -Jay

Nice job conning Tyson into spending more money.

According to Hurwitz (what does he know), the Kitajenko is a little more lyrical and gentle than Barshai, so it does indeed sound like he is closer towards the other end of the spectrum than Kondrashin. But at that price, Tyson won't have a hard time reselling it (hell, I'll be happy to drop by your house, Tyson, to pick it up from you).

 

[Tyson]

 

[JayG]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyson

Sorry! I didn't realize that my post was slightly ambiguous. But maybe you will fall in love with the Kitajenko set and be grateful for this little miscommunication.

And if not, sell it on Amazon or eBay for profit!

-Jay