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Discussion: Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 9 & 12 - Wigglesworth

Posts: 9

Post by dschawv September 12, 2007 (1 of 9)
Any luck finding this in the U.S.????
I have looked and had no luck finding it.
I really enjoy Wigglesworth's 13th and would like to get this issue.

Post by zeus September 12, 2007 (2 of 9)
dschawv said:

Any luck finding this in the U.S.????
I have looked and had no luck finding it.
I really enjoy Wigglesworth's 13th and would like to get this issue.

I just updated this with amazon.com and CD Universe links.

Post by TerraEpon September 13, 2007 (3 of 9)
I've seen BIS CDs that often come out far later in the US than they (supposedly) come out in Europe, at least on Amazon and Arkivmusic and other US-based sites. For instance the (RBCD) Glazunov symphony set -- was reviewed on Classicstoday on May 7th, yet only came out the end of August.


-Joshua

Post by krisjan September 13, 2007 (4 of 9)
Arkivmusic has Bis on sale right now. My copy shipped today.

Post by mahlerei July 15, 2010 (5 of 9)
Jonalogic

What a curious review. Why do you think the 12th is Shostakovich's weakest symphony? It never struck me that way, and Wiggledworth's performance certainly suggests it's as strong as any of the others.

Also, I don't see how the Goodies could feature in this symphony, written in 1961; the Goodies were a product of the 1970s. Besides, Shostakovich had plenty of homegrown buffoons at his disposal, and wouldn't have needed to plunder obscure British comedies for material.

Post by Jonalogic July 20, 2010 (6 of 9)
mahlerei said:

Jonalogic

What a curious review. Why do you think the 12th is Shostakovich's weakest symphony? It never struck me that way, and Wiggledworth's performance certainly suggests it's as strong as any of the others.

Also, I don't see how the Goodies could feature in this symphony, written in 1961; the Goodies were a product of the 1970s. Besides, Shostakovich had plenty of homegrown buffoons at his disposal, and wouldn't have needed to plunder obscure British comedies for material.

mahlerei

Hi! The Goodies citation was a JOKE.... although there IS a passing musicological resemblance.

Why do I think his 12th is the weakest? All artistic judgement is ultimately subjective, but:

1)I think so, and I have known and loved his symphonies for over 40 years

2)Most critical commentary agrees this is part of an early 60's slump in his writing

3)Shostakovich himself rushed it off after finally becoming a party member, dedicating the symphony to Lenin. Knowing his inner feelings, this speaks for itself...

4) This judgement is based on what my ears and mind tell me. It was written in a rush, and is very naively put together and structured compared with his other symphonies. It's also, frankly, crude.

5) Note that its premier at the Edinburgh Festival caused a storm of criticism. Not unusual, that, but - in this case - the critics and audience actually got it right.

Post by mahlerei July 20, 2010 (7 of 9)
Jonalogic

Sometimes it hard to gauge whether posters are being straight-faced, with so many outlandish opinions flying about. :)

It's very easy to be swayed by critical opinion which, in any case, is liable to fluctuate over time. Indeed, Wigglesworth's reading reveals this is anything but a 'rushed' or 'flawed' work. I can't recommend this disc highly enough.

Post by fafnir July 20, 2010 (8 of 9)
mahlerei said:

I can't recommend this disc highly enough.

Me too! I like the 12th. It's a guilty pleasure rather than a masterpiece, but it's certainly not terrible. The sound on this disc is sensational and the performances superb.

Post by Jonalogic July 28, 2010 (9 of 9)
mahlerei said:

Jonalogic

Sometimes it hard to gauge whether posters are being straight-faced, with so many outlandish opinions flying about. :)

It's very easy to be swayed by critical opinion which, in any case, is liable to fluctuate over time. Indeed, Wigglesworth's reading reveals this is anything but a 'rushed' or 'flawed' work. I can't recommend this disc highly enough.

mahlerei

I agree. I think critical or conventional judgement should always be taken with a bucket of salt. I was listening to Shostakovich waaaaay before he became trendy, because my ears and soul told me to. Ultimately, it's one's very own judgement which should be trusted.

In this case, I still feel his 12th is weak musically. But I think we can all agree that it is given a very worthy performance here, the 9th is superb and the whole thing sounds wonderful!

Closed