Customer Reviews

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5

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This was my first Shostakovich 5th. I had it on an Everest LP (the early release, when they still had good pressings.) I've judged all others by it since. There are many good recordings but this one has always set the standard even though the sound has been somewhat surpassed by later releases. I've always felt the 1959 Bernstein is overated; the final movement runs off the track in the early bars. Stoky never committed the ultimate sin for a conductor; he was never dull.

Although no recording date is given, Stokowski's Shostakovich Fifth came out near Leonard Bernstein's famous 1959 recording. Here the same orchestra is called the Stadium Sym. of New York, which was for contractual purposes; the NY Phil. for many years played a summer season in Lewisohn Stadium.

Of the two conductors, Bernstein favors more contrast and sharper accents, but neither tries for agony, bitterness, or pointed satire. Stokowski is practically benign, which may mean that for some listeners this performance will be too low-voltage. Although LB famously took the finale almost half again as fast as marked (8:55 min. compared to Stokowski's 10:46 min.), the latter is more telaxed than most accounts. Even more than Bernstein he views this movement as optimistic; there are no crashing chords and no heavy rubato to drive the triumph home in the coda. Everest's then state-of-the-art sonics are almost too spacious--it sounds as if the orchestra is playing inside a convention center--but the dynamic range and openness are impressive.

Although out of print, it's worth searching out the Priceless version (a budget line of Everest) for Stokowski's unbeatable 23 min. suite from Prokofiev's Cincerella ballet. The sound is even better than in the Shostakovich, and the Stadium Sym. plays with great alertness and vivacity. For a long time this was the only version one oculd get in stereo, and it remains a delight.

This is simply the best Shostakovich 5th out there....I have heard lots of recordings but this one has something very very special...It has the dusky hues the score requires...The playing and feeling are perfect...One of my desert island discs....Do not pass it up!