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Author	Topic: Shostakovich Symphony No.11[The Year 1905]

SCimmerian Standard Userer	This is a massive monuemental program symphony of epic proportions and devestating emotional impact. Of all of his symphonies this is the one that would make a great film score, and as I have read it was derided by western music critics as sounding as one[ok more points in favor of this piece for me!]. Any how this symphony was supposedly inspired by the 1956 Hungarian Uprising and the subsequent brutal backlash of the Soviets with the invasion of Hungary and the squashing of the revolt against communism.Now of course for Shostakovich to get the symphony published and performed he had to diguise it as a program symphony about the failed 1905 peseant revolt against the Czarist regiem.And to give it popular appeal to the Soviet authorities he interwove melodies of revolutionary workers songs into the musical fabric of the score.For this symphony Shostakovich was awarded the Metal of Lenin. This symphony is really a titanic shout of NO! into the face of tyranny, it is timless statement of the genius of Shostokovich. The climax of the symphony is galvanizing and it really can shake you up! I have heard all recorded versions and the two best ones to get are these: BERGLUND/BOURNMOUTH SYMPHONY on EMI coupled with a good version on the 7th too. The other is HAITINK/CONCERTGEBROUW ORCHESTRA on LONDON. If you have not heard this masterpiece go get this and be prepared to be blown away, its awesome beyond belief!
posted 12-30-2001 05:03 PM PT (US)

Dinko Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by SCimmerian: (...)be prepared to be blown away, its awesome beyond belief! Well duh! It's Shostakovich! Heard all the recorded ones? Ok then Mr. Know All. How does the Chandos version stand? As in this one: http://www.chandos.co.uk/Details.asp?CatalogueNumber=CHAN%209476 [Message edited by Dinko on 12-30-2001]
posted 12-30-2001 05:41 PM PT (US)

SCimmerian Standard Userer	Well sir I would say that it is a slow plodding performance, not intense,and I do not recommend it. I do not like that conductor.The recording sounds good because it is Chandos.Compare the second movement with the Berglund recording, the massacre sequence will tell all. I love this music so I collect it. This music should be performed with passion and fire and volcanic excitement and much mystery and true sorrow in the slow movements, a true emotional rollercoster ride.
posted 12-30-2001 08:07 PM PT (US)

Dinko Standard Userer	Not too surprised to hear that. Polyansky's version of the 7th symphony is as slow as hell. Thanks for the info. I'll try to find the EMI version you spoke of. [Message edited by Dinko on 12-31-2001]
posted 12-31-2001 06:12 AM PT (US)

Marian Schedenig Standard Userer	The Haitink could be cheap though. I got his recording of the 8th for bargain price a few months ago.
posted 12-31-2001 06:14 AM PT (US)

Timmer Standard Userer	IMHO NOTHING beats the Moscow Philharmonic under Kiril Kondrashin for No.11, unfortunately I don't believe it's available on CD anymore (has it ever been available on CD?). Kondrashin's No.7 also burns with a fire unsurpassed by any other version I've heard!
posted 12-31-2001 08:15 AM PT (US)

Dinko Standard Userer	Just came back from the store (which shall remain nameless). They had only one version of this. It wasn't any of the above. So I didn't buy it.
posted 12-31-2001 09:49 AM PT (US)

JJH Standard Userer	While we're on the subject of Shostakovich, I will take the opportunity to plug the quartets, and the 2 (?) chamber symphonies that are derived from them. NP -- A Night in Rivendell, Rieff/ Hall
posted 12-31-2001 12:45 PM PT (US)

SCimmerian Standard Userer	Timmer sir, that was the first version I ever heard on an old Melodiya/Angel LP. That version I believe was just released in a complete boxed set of the symphonies from Melodiya. I do not think it has ever been released on cd, before.There is another russian recording that has never been released in the west and I wish I could hear it: Svelanov/USSR symphony recorded in 1968.The Konrashin is a brutal reading, but lacks the sonic slam of the Berglund or Haitink.I will look for Konrashin doing the 7th. My favs of that symphony is Sveltanov,Jarvi,Bernstein,Berglund.See if you can find the Berglund on the EMI Double Forte you will not be dissapointed. By the way what did you think of the Karajan Pines of Rome?
posted 12-31-2001 03:00 PM PT (US)

Timmer Standard Userer	Put simply Scott, it was excellent...I'll not be playing the Naxos version again! I'll take your recommendation on the Burgland. You should have no problem finding the Kondrashin No.7, it's on Melodiya 74321198392.
posted 01-02-2002 06:41 AM PT (US)

Dinko Standard Userer	Uhm... Mr. Know-All sir... sorry to bother you again with this, but uhm... today I saw an interesting looking recording of the 11th with Mariss Jansons conducting the Philadelphia. (on EMI) I did a little internet search on Google, and came up with one good review. And one not-so-good. How does the Jansons compare with the others? Is it worth it, since I can't find either the Haitink or the Berglund in local stores? [Message edited by Dinko on 02-14-2002]
posted 02-14-2002 04:44 PM PT (US)

Timmer Standard Userer	Can't help you there Dinko, I did pick up the Haitink version though which I thought was astounding! To be honest Dinko, If you've never heard this symphony then ANY version you hear is going to be good!
posted 02-14-2002 06:01 PM PT (US)

Marian Schedenig Standard Userer	I can only tell you about Janson's recording of the Fifth with the Vienna Philharmonic. I have that on CD (had to get it, since I attended the final rehearsal of the concert myself), and I think it's very good - though I admit that I have no comparison. Gramophone wasn't too excited about it, but I think they still gave it a rather positive review. Just a pity that the excellent performance of Debussy's La Mer from the same concert isn't on the album. Anyway, I'm not surprised that Jansons is the VPO's favourite conductor.
posted 02-14-2002 10:30 PM PT (US)

SCimmerian Standard Userer	Dinko sir the Jansons on EMI is a goodie.Very fine performance, I recommend it.I would rank it up with in the top 5 best versions I have heard.Give it a listen and tell what you think.
posted 02-16-2002 09:12 PM PT (US)

Dinko Standard Userer	Thanks! Too late. Already bought it early yesterday morning. It's pretty good. It's the typical Shostakovich I think. That dude's music is recognizable a mile away. Great themes and variations, and a progressive buildup towards the finale. The music is very evocative of events and ideas. Far from some of the more abstract pieces in the classical repertoire. Jansons' rythms are good. Don't sound too slow or too fast. The Philadelphians pull it off nicely. There's just the CDs volume which is annoying: slow parts too low, energetic parts too loud so I constantly have to play with the volume button. But other than that the Symphony is great. I'm not so enthusiastic about Jansons version of the Jazz Suite excerpts. He takes the Waltz from Suite #2 as if it were Circus Music for a Freak Show with none of the majesty and grace I find in the Chailly/Concertgebouw. Thanks for the original topic. I don't think I would have gotten the 11th so soon had you not posted this thread.
posted 02-17-2002 08:16 AM PT (US)

EvanED Non-Standard Userer	>>To be honest Dinko, If you've never heard this symphony then ANY version you hear is going to be good! Absolutely correct... this was my introduction to Shostakovich, with the Houston Symphony under... uh... I forget. (See how memorable it is?) Loved it. Still don't own a version (the Houston one I got from the local library) because I'm trying to pick the best way to get the best recordings of all of Shostakovich's symphonies except the 14th (I don't like vocalists) for the most economic way possible...
posted 03-07-2002 04:15 PM PT (US)

SCimmerian Standard Userer	Sir Evan, that would be the Stokowski version that you listened to,a famous 1958 recording. Now Sir the best way to go with getting the complete symphonies would be the Haitink series on London records,hands down the best recorded and performed versions and at mid price too! Go for it.
posted 03-07-2002 10:08 PM PT (US)

SCimmerian Standard Userer	Hey Timmer, I finally got the Kondrashin no. 7 and it really smokes! I thought the recording was shrill though- the russian recording techniques were very mediocere compared to the standards of the West,great performances with crummy sound.Dude you should really hear the Bernstein with Chicago on DG-the sound on that thing will blow your mind- again the climax of the first movement is volcanic!
posted 06-15-2002 10:35 PM PT (US)

Timmer Standard Userer	Yeah, I should have mentioned the 'shrill' sound. I shall of coarse be taking you up on your recommendation Scott!
posted 06-16-2002 04:33 AM PT (US)

EvanED Non-Standard Userer	>>the russian recording techniques were very mediocere compared to the standards of the West,great performances with crummy sound. Hmmm... I wonder if that explains the sound quality of my Leningrad Symphony/Mravinsky recording of Tchaik. 6... never thought of that. It was recorded in the mid 1980s but sounds like the mid 1950s with hiss that's in there. Of course, the performance is top-rate. I haven't any other Tchaik 6 to compare, but you can tell it's first-rate. [Message edited by EvanED on 06-17-2002]
posted 06-17-2002 08:00 PM PT (US)

SCimmerian Standard Userer	Wow! hey you people; HMV.com now has the Berglund Shostakovich Sym no. 11 & 7 double fortee cd for only $7.98. Better grab it before it goes out of print.Its is sstill hands down the best ever.
posted 06-24-2002 07:07 PM PT (US)

Dinko Standard Userer	Well, no worry about that sale. The regular price of the EMI Double Fforte series at www.cdplus.com is $5.50 (USD) (or $8.50CDN). http://www.cdplus.com/cdplus300/default.asp?isle=0&action=detail&code=237125
posted 06-25-2002 05:20 AM PT (US)

Dinko Standard Userer	The London Symphony Orchestra is set to release another version of this on it's LSO Live label. Mstislav "I-boycott-the-MSO" Rostropovich conducts. Rostro LSO Though at 72 minutes, this seems kind of long.
posted 07-07-2002 03:08 PM PT (US)

Dinko Standard Userer	Ok. Since I'd forgetten, here are my very profound and intelligent remarks. Both the 7th and 11th are extraordinary versions, which I would most likely call "best I've heard till now", but which are not my personal favourites. Somehow, Barshai's WDR accounts sound more satisfying to me. More in the mold that I would have done the music, had I been able to conduct. I think Berglund's versions are good for pulling off what Dutoit, Jarvi and Ozawa for me so often fail in: emphasizing fast and slow by increasing the difference between. Barshai takes everything within a particular movement at relatively the same tempo. Berglund manages to speed up certain passages and slow down some others to make a point, without it sounding overtheatrical or gimmicky. The end result is that the music's qualities are brought to the front. Making it a gripping musical experience. Especially when the two symphonies are played one after the other. The Bournemouth Symphony is superb. And the sound is so transparent and lucid it's unbelievable. (Unlike my Alexander Nevsky recording ). On the other hand, the dynamic range of the recording is so wide, when I blow up the volume for the slower parts, I then have to be one step ahead of the recording to decrease volume before it blows up my windows... In the end, very good versions. At that price, maybe everyone should buy two. (Come to think of it, a year ago, these Double Fortes cost twice the amount they do now. :freaky: Talk about deflation...)
posted 07-17-2002 06:29 AM PT (US)

SCimmerian Standard Userer	Right on dude. Crank that sucka up and blow out the windows in the entire building. Yea!
posted 07-17-2002 07:36 PM PT (US)

Dinko Standard Userer	The new Rostropovich just topped my list. It's short list, but he's on top still. Both Berglund and Jansons sound too perfect in some ways. Barshai has energy, but again he seems to follow rythms too closely, losing some excitement in the process. Rostropovich leads this thing as if his own life depended on it, or as if he was at the Palace Square in 1905. This may not be the version with the best tempi (Barshai's are the ones I like most), or the one which is best recorded (there's a little shrill quality to the Rostro - and Berglund has much more sonic depth), but it is so vividly descriptive one has no trouble imagining the events about which Shostakovich composed, be they about Hungary, Russia, or as hinted at by the liner notes, universal struggles.
posted 08-05-2002 07:47 AM PT (US)

SCimmerian Standard Userer	I finally found a copy of the LSO Rostopovich recording, and it is very similar to his earlier version on Teldec.I find his tempos for the most part too slow, and the massacure sequence was a real letdown;plodding no terror,quite dull really.He does not conduct this with very much energy I felt that the blood was let out of the music-I did not sense any struggle or overcomming.The LSO play very well;its just not dramatic or heart wrenching sounding.The recording quality is just ok,it is passable.I am not going to buy any more versions of this symphony. As far as I am concerned the Berglund is the best recorded and performed version and I really doubt that anyone will ever make a recording to match it.
posted 11-26-2002 10:38 PM PT (US)

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