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Post by MartinT on Mar 29, 2019 8:02:39 GMT
Shostakovich – Symphony No.13 ‘Babi Yar’ (1962)Dmitri Shostakovich wrote this symphony based on the poems of Yevtushenko and others. It’s a large-scale work, requiring full orchestra, men’s chorus and bass soloist. The music depicts Soviet life in all its brutality and desperation during the cold war period. While the whole symphony takes some concentration to sit through, for me the central sections 3. In the Store and 4. Fears are some of the most inventive and desolate pieces of music ever written. If you don’t feel the cold of Siberia eating at your extremities by the end of Fears (relieved only by the flutes at the very end) then this music is not doing it for you. I find it still raises the hackles to this day, so powerful is the musical emotion contained within the movements. The 13th has been one of my all-time favourite symphonies ever since buying Previn’s excellent recording with the LSO in the 1980s. For this Album Choice, though, I’m giving the edge to the supreme performance and recording by Haitink on Decca. The bass soloist doesn’t sound as Russian as Previn’s, but that’s a small quibble. In all respects, this is quite outstanding. open.qobuz.com/track/523733
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Post by jandl100 on Mar 29, 2019 9:58:17 GMT
Ooo 'eck - I've always found 13 (& 14) a bit too much of a challenge. I think it's the histrionic warbling of the solo vocalist that puts me off. Still, here's an opportunity to revisit and re-assess.  |
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Post by jandl100 on Mar 29, 2019 10:18:22 GMT
... I'd love to hear a purely orchestral version of this (and the 14th).
The (it seems to me) at times (quite often!) hysterical, over-dramatic presentation of both vocal soloist and chorus are just embarrassingly over the top.
Yes, terrible times. Awful events being portrayed in the sung text.
But really, stiff upper lip and all that, eh what!
Definitely not British.
5 for the music, 1 for the vocals.
I'll call it a 2.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 29, 2019 11:59:18 GMT
Thanks for voting, Jerry. Strange, I don't hear any hysterics at all, just a searing portrayal of a horrible time in Soviet history (were there any nice times?).
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Post by Slinger on Mar 29, 2019 15:40:10 GMT
I've got: Mariss Jansons - Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra - Bavarian Radio Male Choir - Sergei Alexashkin (Bass) performing it, Martin. Any thoughts?
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Post by MartinT on Mar 29, 2019 15:59:37 GMT
I generally like Jansons but haven't listened to that one. I'll try it tonight.
How do you find it, Paul?
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Post by Slinger on Mar 29, 2019 16:56:44 GMT
I haven't listened to it in ages, Martin, but I seem to remember that it was good. It's part of a "Complete Symphonies" set, that also includes The Gadfly and Jazz Suite #1. There are 10 CDs, so my actual memory of it is not awfully reliable.
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Post by MartinT on Mar 29, 2019 17:49:44 GMT
Jansons' opening to Fears is suitably menacing with a good bass drum. Chorus are good if a little higher toned than those of the Concertgebouw and set a little further back. Soloist is fine and the orchestra is very well lit. The brass section are outstanding, if not overwhelming at the climaxes. I would say this is a good but slightly reserved performance where the huge unleashing of anger and fear that Previn and Haitink release is somewhat missing.
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Post by MartinT on Apr 9, 2019 9:24:06 GMT
It would be nice to have a few more listeners & votes on this. Don't be shy - if you don't like it, say so!
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Post by Slinger on Apr 9, 2019 12:31:06 GMT
Apologies for forgetting, Martin. It starts out fine, almost Wagnerian, which I like, then it all goes a bit too Russian. It also can't seem to make its mind up whether it wants to be an opera when it grows up, or not. It really has been a long time since I played it. It's almost, to me, anyway, like a caricature of that VERY SERIOUS Russian music, which is all power and pomp but has little or no room in it for joy under any circumstances.
Whilst I must acknowledge its pedigree, it's not for me I'm afraid. Three out of five.
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Post by MartinT on Apr 9, 2019 13:10:23 GMT
Thanks, Paul. I agree that there is very little joy in the music, I don't think that was on Shostakovich's mind when he wrote it!
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Post by julesd68 on Apr 9, 2019 19:53:40 GMT
Sorry to be late on this Martin - will remedy when back from my travels. Not sure my phone would do it justice somehow!!
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Post by MartinT on Apr 9, 2019 20:04:02 GMT
Not sure my phone would do it justice somehow!! Definitely not! |
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Post by julesd68 on May 1, 2019 10:21:09 GMT
Finally got to listen today! I found the wiki overview very useful for understanding this work - I even learnt what a ‘plagal cadence’ is! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._13_(Shostakovich)Musically a very powerfully understated and disconcerting opener. I struggle with a lot of modern choral works and not so keen on the OTT ‘Russian Army Choir’ style vocals but I do like the bass soloist more than I thought I would; he sounds suitably bleak. Love the brass climaxes around 10 mins in. 3rd is most poignant. A most chilling 4. |
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Post by MartinT on Jan 13, 2023 22:34:35 GMT
How wonderful to hear Dave Hurwitz reflect my opinion of this stunning choral symphony.
Having listened to the 10th in my latest Classical Album Choice, now play Fears (4th movement) for a depiction of Stalinist USSR that really does put a chill in you. One of the most awesome pieces in all of classical music.
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