Shostakovich Symphony No. 5; Vienna Philharmonic, Constantin Silvestri

[GP49]

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Constantin Silvestri, conductor
Angel Stereo LP S35760

Let's see how many downloads there will be of a recording that got an
unusually bad review, excerpts of which follow:

"Whoever decided to make this a full-price issue was either extremely
hopeful or unaware of the quality of the two main rivals, Bernstein
and Rowicki...it is an extraordinarily slack performance...after
Bernstein's New York strings the Viennese are just laughable—and in
the lovely extended melody of the second subject over its steady
dactyllic rhythm the strings again let the side down...

"The Scherzo captures the right humorous spirit, but again there is a
lack of stylishness and the solo violin is well below par. The slow
movement is oddly extrovert, the playing obvious where it should be
coaxing...one is rather shattered by the impact of the finale, which
comes at one even more forcefully than Bernstein's...Silvestri's
Allegro is even faster than the American's. The New York players found
it hard enough to keep up, and under Silvestri the Viennese sound
really scrambled. No recommendation at all, then..."

---Edward Greenfield, GRAMOPHONE, Sept. 1962

I was asked to make a transfer of this, so why not post it and see
what our reaction is, nearly a half century later? The sound, as
Greenfield said, is "full and well-balanced" but even after a light
declicking there still remain some thumps and noises in the as-usual
crummy Capitol (USA) pressing; and there was a good-sized gash in the
grooves at the beginning of the third movement (some people really
should have used record changers instead of manual turntables), its
effects smoothed out as much as I could.

Four FLACs and LP front cover (got it right this time):

http://www.mediafire.com/?i5ax1a1yzcsxw

[Randy Lane]

Those fortunate enough to own the black Disky 10Cd box of Silvestri
recordings already own this in digital direct from the tapes. The
recording is not featured in the July 2012 batch on Silvestri
recording being issued by Toshiba-EMI.

[richard...@gmail.com]

I have the set. I can't say I agree with EG in the Gramophone years
ago, but he did like Bernstein! I am closer to an Amazon reviewer of
the Shostakovitch whose view was that this was the best, save
Mravinsky.

[Matthew B. Tepper]

"richard...@gmail.com" <richard...@gmail.com> appears to have
caused the following letters to be typed in news:b12b40bb-a39a-4e24-9d20-
402692...@m8g2000yqo.googlegroups.com:

> I can't say I agree with EG in the Gramophone years ago, but he did like
> Bernstein! I am closer to an Amazon reviewer of the Shostakovitch whose
> view was that this was the best, save Mravinsky.

About forty years ago I remember a friend who was a real Shostakovich nut (as
I was then becoming), and he gave what I thought at the time was an unusual
recommendation for this work: Kertesz/OSR. I eventually heard it, and I
found it very good indeed.

Has anybody heard lately from Fred/Op. 47?

--
Matthew B. Tepper: WWW, science fiction, classical music, ducks!!
Read about "Proty" here: http://home.earthlink.net/~oy/proty.html
To write to me, do for my address what Androcles did for the lion
Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of my employers.

[Sol L. Siegel]

"Matthew B. Tepper" <oyþ@earthlink.net> wrote in
news:XnsA073F2AB791...@216.168.3.70:

> Has anybody heard lately from Fred/Op. 47?

Now that you mention it:

He used to post regularly to the DSCH mailing list (using a new
e-mail address). But a search of their archives shows that his
posts appear to have ceased abruptly last November. I hope
nothing bad has happened.

- Sol L. Siegel, Philadelphia, PA USA

[Howard]

On Jun 17, 11:00 pm, "Sol L. Siegel" <vod...@aol.com> wrote:
> "Matthew B. Tepper" <oy @earthlink.net> wrote innews:XnsA073F2AB791...@216.168.3.70:

>
> > Has anybody heard lately from Fred/Op. 47?
>
> Now that you mention it:
>
> He used to post regularly to the DSCH mailing list (using a new
> e-mail address).  But a search of their archives shows that his
> posts appear to have ceased abruptly last November.  I hope
> nothing bad has happened.
>
> - Sol L. Siegel, Philadelphia, PA USA

I remember reading a remarkable sequence from this group. The thread
was on what posters did for a living. When Fred revealed how much he
struggled the tone shifted with posters providing support and showing
compassion but above all appreciating Fred's contributions especially
on DSCH. I think others here remember.

Howard

[Dontait...@aol.com]

On Jun 16, 1:51 am, "Matthew B. Tepper" <oyþ@earthlink.net> wrote:
> "richard.simn...@gmail.com" <richard.simn...@gmail.com> appears to have

> caused the following letters to be typed in news:b12b40bb-a39a-4e24-9d20-

> 402692e99...@m8g2000yqo.googlegroups.com:

>
> > I can't say I agree with EG in the Gramophone years ago, but he did like
> > Bernstein! I am closer to an Amazon reviewer of the Shostakovitch whose
> > view was that this was the best, save Mravinsky.
>
> About forty years ago I remember a friend who was a real Shostakovich nut (as
> I was then becoming), and he gave what I thought at the time was an unusual
> recommendation for this work:  Kertesz/OSR.  I eventually heard it, and I
> found it very good indeed.

I bought the London LP of Shostakovich 5 by Kertesz/Suisse Romande.
Because I thought it came closer than any version I knew at the time
(late sixties) to relating the music to Mahler's. Which we know meant
so to much to Shostakovich.

But I haven't played the Kertesz LP in a long time.

Don Tait

[Randy Lane]

On Jun 18, 1:29 pm, "Dontaitchic...@aol.com" <Dontaitchic...@aol.com>
wrote:

In case people are not aware, the Kertész Shosty 5 is available on
Aussie Eloquence:

http://www.buywell.com/cgi-bin/buywellic2/efly.html?mv_arg=00977

[Bob Harper]

On 6/18/12 1:48 PM, Randy Lane wrote:
> On Jun 18, 1:29 pm, "Dontaitchic...@aol.com"<Dontaitchic...@aol.com>
> wrote:

And the Gibson/LSO Sibelius 5th isn't! When, oh when, will this outrage
be corrected? (See earlier thread about BBC/Sibelius 5)

Bob Harper

[John Wiser]

"Randy Lane" <randy...@gmail.com> wrote:

> In case people are not aware, the Kertész Shosty 5 is available on
> Aussie Eloquence:

> http://www.buywell.com/cgi-bin/buywellic2/efly.html?mv_arg=00977

Also right here and cheaper:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=shostakovich+kertesz+ogdon

JDW

[John Wiser]

"Bob Harper" <bob.h...@comcast.net> wrote:>> In case people are not aware,

the Kertész Shosty 5 is available on
>> Aussie Eloquence:
>>
>> http://www.buywell.com/cgi-bin/buywellic2/efly.html?mv_arg=00977
>>
> And the Gibson/LSO Sibelius 5th isn't! When, oh when, will this outrage be
> corrected? (See earlier thread about BBC/Sibelius 5)
>
> Bob Harper
>

So what is this, you want it in the Eloquence series only?

http://www.amazon.com/Sibelius-Symphony-No-5-Karelia-Suite/dp/B00005N56V/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1340062033&sr=8-9&keywords=sibelius+5+gibsonjdw

[Bob Harper]

As I mentioned earlier, I don't want to pay $20 for a CD-R. I may wind
up having no choice, but I will still agitate for an Eloquence reissue.

Bob Harper

[Gerard]

Bob Harper <bob.h...@comcast.net> typed:

The item is a CD (why do you think it's a CD-R?) and it costs $16.99.
Does Australian Eloquence release CDs that are available in other Universal
releases?

[Bob Harper]

On 6/19/12 12:43 AM, Terry wrote:
> On Tue, 19 Jun 2012 10:08:16 +1000, Bob Harper wrote
> (in article<RpPDr.440854$Xo4.1...@en-nntp-13.dc1.easynews.com>):

> That looks pretty much like a Decca CD to me. And the price is not $20.00. So
> what are you waiting for?
>
I'm pretty sure ArkivMusic CDs are CD-Rs. In fact, the following is
included in the product description: "This is a reissue produced by
ArkivMusic and fully authorized by the original record label. The
packaging includes all liner notes."

$16.99 plus $2.98 Shipping totals $19.97. I'm still thinking about it.

Bob Harper

[operafan]

On Jun 19, 10:16 am, Bob Harper <bob.har...@comcast.net> wrote:
> I'm pretty sure ArkivMusic CDs are CD-Rs. In fact, the following is
> included in the product description: "This is a reissue produced by
> ArkivMusic and fully authorized by the original record label. The
> packaging includes all liner notes."
>
> $16.99 plus $2.98 Shipping totals $19.97. I'm still thinking about it.
>
> Bob Harper

Definitely that's a CD-R, Bob. The Arkiv CD-R's I've had sound just
the way they should (i.e., like the original CD) and are well-packaged.

[bill...@gmail.com]

First of all, many thanks for making this available here. Your transfer is
excellent. I don't agree with Greenfield's review. I don't think it is "slack". I don't think that Silvestri's Adagio is "extrovert". I guess that Greenfield likes Bernstein's retards. I don't. Bernstein surprised everyone (including, apparently, the composer) with his hectic pace in the finale. Silvestri outdoes even Bernstein here. Personally, I think that the finale should be a dirge and not at all "triumphant". But for what it is, Silvestri's recording is well worth the listen.

[td]

On Monday, June 18, 2012 7:04:34 PM UTC-4, Bob Harper wrote:

> And the Gibson/LSO Sibelius 5th isn't! When, oh when, will this outrage be corrected?

I did my bit, Bob. It was released on Decca Legends, if I remember correctly. I guess you missed it. Sorry about that. It's a complete classic.

TD

[John Wiser]

<bill...@gmail.com> wrote:

> First of all, many thanks for making this available here. Your transfer is
> excellent. I don't agree with Greenfield's review. I don't think it is "slack". I don't think
> that Silvestri's
> Adagio is "extrovert". I guess that Greenfield likes Bernstein's retards.

That's not a nice way to speak of the NYP.

jdw

[Frank Berger]

It's available as an Arkiv CD-r.

[Bob Harper]

I know. I'm just too tight to pay that much for it :) I'll keep looking.

Bob Harper

[td]

What I can tell you, Bob, is that this superb CD did not have a wide audience. Very disappointing for me, as I think it's one of the best recordings and performances of anything I know. Gibson never even vaguely equalled his achievement here. This must have happened almost by accident on one of his sober days.

TD

[Gerard]

"td" wrote in message
news:a4185757-20dd-4b79...@googlegroups.com...

============

Is this the recording that's discussed here?
http://www.classicstoday.com/review/review-6713/

[td]

Yes. Just about the stupidest review I have ever read.

The finale "gentlemanly"? HA HA HA HA

If it doesn't have you getting up from your chair and screaming, you must already be dead.

I never thought I would prefer to read CT's editor.

TD

[Bob Harper]

It is, and I cannot understand Mr. Carr's lack of enthusiasm. I just may
be talking myself into spending that much because, as Tom says, it is
superb. One of the first two LPs I ever bought (RCA Victrola, ca. 1965).

Bob Harper

[td]

This dodo misses everything.

Including the gradual decline in Gibson's abilities through excessive alcohol.

TD

[Willem Orange]

More gossip from our resident yenta.

[td]

You words needed this much space?

Trim your posts, Dickey. Your slip is showing.

TD

[Dave Cook]

On 2012-06-15, GP49 <gpo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
> Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
> Constantin Silvestri, conductor
> Angel Stereo LP S35760

Is this different from the one in the Icon box (which was also in the
Disky box)?

http://www.amazon.com/ICON-Constantin-Silvestri-Complete-Recordings/dp/B00ACHXHII

Dave Cook

[david...@hotmail.com]

Yes. The same, I believe.

TD

[Gerard]

david...@hotmail.com wrote in message
news:498d1fe2-1839-4b9b...@googlegroups.com...

Yes. The same, I believe.

TD

==========================

TD ??

[david...@hotmail.com]

I had the misfortune of becoming entangled in Google+ and all the other little Googles, so I just junked Chrome, Google, and everything associated with it. I remember having a google mail account. Google wanted to take over my life. I just said 'NO' as Nancy Reagan always advised us to do. But now they seem to want to entangle me even more using a .mac address.

So, I told them to Fuck right off! Ripped all their little cookies out of my browsers and said goodbye.

Still use Google Groups, but with a foreign (to them) email account. And they will not have my birthdate, my social security number, my address, what I am interested in, or where I live. My new name is Piano Phile. LOL

Let them try to get info on that dude in their spare time.

TD