Shostakovich Symphony No. 8/Mravinsky

Lawrence Chalmers

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Dec 12, 2019, 12:57:38 PM12/12/19

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Given all the controversies (too much coughing, pitch problems -corrections diminishing some voices) which version would you recommend I get? I just
acquired a 1947 performance which is terrific. But I am now interested in another later recording in better sound. By Mravinsky.

MELMOTH

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Dec 12, 2019, 1:19:58 PM12/12/19

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Le 12/12/2019 à 18:57, Lawrence Chalmers a écrit :
> I just
> acquired a 1947 performance which is terrific. But I am now interested in another later recording in better sound.

Agree !...The BEST 8th symphony by Chostakovitch !...And from a very
long way away !...

Frank Berger

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Dec 12, 2019, 1:37:33 PM12/12/19

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On 12/12/2019 12:57 PM, Lawrence Chalmers wrote:
> Given all the controversies (too much coughing, pitch problems -corrections diminishing some voices) which version would you recommend I get? I just
> acquired a 1947 performance which is terrific. But I am now interested in another later recording in better sound. By Mravinsky.
>

Apparently the 1982 live recording was issued sharp by Philips (several
times) and ICONE. Regis released it pitch-corrected but at least one
reviewer found the sound murky and at too low a level. Russian Disc
also released it pitch-corrected. I don't know if Regis ripped theirs
off from RD or if they are different transfers. THE RD is hard to find
and the one I saw on EBAY was $$$. Good luck.

tomono...@hotmail.com

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Dec 13, 2019, 2:46:54 AM12/13/19

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Altus released in 2015 : Remastered from a master tape sponsored Mravinsky's widow.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A7%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E3%82%B3%E3%83%BC%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A3%E3%83%81-Shostakovich-Mravinsky-Leningrad-Philharmonic/dp/B00VSYQRTA/ref=sr_1_1?__mk_ja_JP=%E3%82%AB%E3%82%BF%E3%82%AB%E3%83%8A&crid=2TK1RT7NJ5901&keywords=mravinsky+shostakovich+8&qid=1576222942&s=music&sprefix=mravinsky+%2Cclassical%2C651&sr=1-1

Frank Berger

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Dec 13, 2019, 8:30:45 AM12/13/19

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On 12/13/2019 2:46 AM, tomono...@hotmail.com wrote:
> Altus released in 2015 : Remastered from a master tape sponsored Mravinsky's widow.
>
>
>
> https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A7%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E3%82%B3%E3%83%BC%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A3%E3%83%81-Shostakovich-Mravinsky-Leningrad-Philharmonic/dp/B00VSYQRTA/ref=sr_1_1?__mk_ja_JP=%E3%82%AB%E3%82%BF%E3%82%AB%E3%83%8A&crid=2TK1RT7NJ5901&keywords=mravinsky+shostakovich+8&qid=1576222942&s=music&sprefix=mravinsky+%2Cclassical%2C651&sr=1-1
>

Google translation:

The disc that has solved such dissatisfaction finally appears. Mastering
from the widow's collection, Altus carefully mastered, in addition to
the freshness surpassing that of the Philips board, and the correctness
of the pitch has increased the tremendousness, reviving a performance of
a dimension that does not seem like a human industry.

Philips board: I = 24'33 '' / II = 6'07 '' / III = 6'17 '' / IV = 9'37
'' / V = 12'58 ''
ALTUS board: I = 25'48 '' / II = 6'24 '' / III = 6'35 '' / IV = 10'06 ''
/ V = 13'44 ''

The same performance is 3 minutes in total, especially 1st movement is 1
minute 15 seconds longer. As a result, the center of gravity drops
further, the severity and the enormous volume of music are approaching.
Also, the ferocious speed and enormous energy in the 3rd movement is
amazing to destroy the hole. And the tension until the scary end. The
previous 1982 edition was exceptional, but let's say that this Altus
edition has finally reproduced a true miracle performance. Anyway, from
the first sound you can't move as if you were in a metal bond.

Lawrence Chalmers

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Dec 13, 2019, 12:13:36 PM12/13/19

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On Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 9:57:38 AM UTC-8, Lawrence Chalmers wrote:
> Given all the controversies (too much coughing, pitch problems -corrections diminishing some voices) which version would you recommend I get? I just
> acquired a 1947 performance which is terrific. But I am now interested in another later recording in better sound. By Mravinsky.

Is the Altus version available from other than Japanese sources?

Lawrence Chalmers

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Dec 13, 2019, 12:22:09 PM12/13/19

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On Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 9:57:38 AM UTC-8, Lawrence Chalmers wrote:

> Given all the controversies (too much coughing, pitch problems -corrections diminishing some voices) which version would you recommend I get? I just
> acquired a 1947 performance which is terrific. But I am now interested in another later recording in better sound. By Mravinsky.

I was able after all to access the Altus version from Amazon.com third party
source (Japan!). Thanks everyone for your feedback.

Frank Berger

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Dec 13, 2019, 2:15:12 PM12/13/19

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So as far as we know, the corrected pitch version has been released on
Russian Disc, Alto and Altus. One reviewer said the Alto version is
muffled and is at too low a level. I have the RD version and will stick
with that unless someone reports the Altus is better. I do have a
favorable impression of Altus. I have a bunch of them I got from BRO
including standout Sibelius 3 and 7 from Mravinsky.