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What are your fav Shostakovitch symphonies?
Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 3:00 pm
by Mississippi Blind Child Assburn
While the big names didn't , for the most part, go over 4 - 5 symphonies, Shostakovitch composed 15 or 16!
He was in the bad position that he had to kowtow to Communist rule. Those patriotic symphonies suffered for it. (I believe he even dedicated one symphony to The Devil, Lenin.
Anyone heard the Leningrad Symphony #7?
Re: What are your fav Shostakovitch symphonies?
Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 4:14 pm
by Fretless
I have a CD box of the entire symphonies, but the mid-period stuff is dull - the last few get more interesting.
Re: What are your fav Shostakovitch symphonies?
Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2021 10:32 am
by savvypaul
I have 5, 8, 9 10 & 15 on different CDs. 5 gets the most plays.
7 is long but worth a listen for it's historical symbolism, I think.
Re: What are your fav Shostakovitch symphonies?
Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2021 12:06 pm
by Grumpytim
For me the 7th is by far his best by a long way, I actually find the 8th almost lacklustre by comparison. Happily for him though his patron didn't see it the same way otherwise it would have been a one way trip to the Lubyanka.. After that I like 10, 11 & 13.
One thing about all Shostakovich is play it loud, really let the music breath even if it means distant neighbours get treated to the crescendos.
Re: What are your fav Shostakovitch symphonies?
Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 6:18 pm
by Mississippi Blind Child Assburn
The ones that always get picked for the best are #5 and #10.
I'm rather flabberghasted that you pick #7. Its one of his "commie" ones. So I'm expecting some march bullshit.
Still, truth to tell, I haven't heard it yet - I found a great deal on the 2lp set...but its ferkin' MONO!