Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 6 & 12 [Original recording reissued, Import]

Dmitri Shostakovich (Composer), Bernard Haitink (Conductor), Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
• Conductor: Bernard Haitink
• Composer: Dmitri Shostakovich
• Audio CD (July 18, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Import
• Label: Decca Import
• ASIN: B00000IP37
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #281,222 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Two different symphonies - one great conductor, April 17, 2002

By 

Bruce Hodges (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 6 & 12 (Audio CD)

I love these recordings. The Sixth (originally coupled with the Eleventh) was one of the first CD's I ever bought, and it remains a favorite. Its unusual structure begins with a long, mournful slow movement, followed by a much shorter and faster middle section, ending with an even shorter, breathlessly-paced final movement. There are now many fine versions of this piece available, but Haitink's relative understatement works well with the somewhat extroverted nature of the music. The playing of the magnificent Concertgebouw Orchestra is, as usual, one of the highlights.

The Shostakovich Twelth Symphony seems to have many more detractors than fans - including the composer himself. No, it is probably not the finest of his fifteen symphonies. It is filled with bombast and his inspiration seems to be not as tightly focused (diplomatically speaking), compared to masterpieces like 5, 8 and 10. Never mind. There is still a great musical mind on display, plenty of dramatic moments to savor, and the orchestral playing by, in this instance, the London Philharmonic, is excellent.

Some find Haitink too self-effacing. I find that very quality an asset in this particular repertoire.

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good recording of an underrated piece, January 30, 2001

By 

Jonathan Toren "WKCR-FM" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 6 & 12 (Audio CD)

As a huge fan of Shostakovich, I got this cd merely to listen to a couple of symphonies that I had not heard, but they turned out to be among my favorites. The Sixth is highly regarded, but the Twelfth has gotten a lot of bad press. I don't understand why; I think it's a great piece, one of his most immediately appealing works. Both pieces are big and brooding as is characteristic of Shostakovich's works. Although I'm not a big fan of Haitink (I think his Ring cycle is boring), he produces grand orchestral sound from the Concertgebouw and exciting performances of both pieces.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very satisfying in all respects, January 7, 2003

By 

Jeffrey Lee (Asheville area, NC USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 6 & 12 (Audio CD)

Bernard Haitink brings real stature to these works, especially the sometimes maligned Twelfth Symphony. The playing of the Concertgebouw Orchestra is trenchant and, at times, cinematic. Instumental colors project with extremely satisfying vividness, no doubt made possible, in part, by the marvelous recording job of the London/Decca sound engineers. Conductor and orchestra are so convincing in their sonic, architectural and emotional presentation that, at this time, it is difficult for me to return to some of the others who have recorded these works, (though, anywhere in Shostakovich, I almost always make exceptions for Mravinsky, whom I consider to be the composer's most accurate and exciting interpreter despite sound quality that never compares favorably with what Decca offers.) Rarely have I encountered Haitink, in particular, sound more involved and intense in making music come to life. In other instances too in this series, the team of Haitink/Concertgebouw/London Philharmonic/Decca has delivered most generously. This linking of the Sixth and Twelfth Symphonies just might constitute the best introduction for those who are curious about this composer who speaks volumes.