Shostakovich: The Complete Symphonies

SHOSTAKOVICHFew composers have ever been more representative of their age than Dimitri Shostakovich. It was once famously said that it is impossible to create great art out of a steelworks and yet this is precisely what Shostakovich does in his 3rd symphony. OK the last choral movement is a bit over the top but if you can"t enjoy this, the "worst" of DSCH's symphonies, you're not a real classical fan.I've come a bit late to DSCH's music. When I was young, I was taught to despise DSCH as a Soviet apparatchik. I never really took his music seriously until last year. I then heard a recording by (of all people) Herbert von Karajan of DSCH's 10th symphony and was immediately overwhelmed. Here was a composer who not only wrote for his time but also for history. He is also one of the few artists who, literally, faced death for his music. Read the story of his 4th Symphony. His so-called "war symphonies"(6-8) offer a catalog of some of the worst experiences in human history transformed into high art. 5 is a special case, listen and decide.I was delighted to find that there was a set of the complete recorded symphonies of DSCH ( listen to the works and read the notes and you will understand the acronym) made by Bernard Haitink and the Amsterdam Concertgebouw and London Symphony Orchestras. Although some commentators say there are better performances of individual symphonies ( please read my review of Karajan's 10th), I think that Haitink has a very profound understanding of DSCH's psyche and a deep sympathy for where he is coming from. There can be no better set.I would love to go on and give my views on some of the later, post-war symphonies, which are fascinating, complex and to some extent unreadable, but this is not the appropriate medium. Suffice it to say that this is more than worth the $80 or so that it costs. It is worth a lifetime of listening.

This is a compilation of the Haitink cycle released individually by London in the 1980s. TWO OMISSIONS: The "Overture on Russian and Kirghiz Folk Themes" that was included with the Symphony 6 & 11 release from 1985 and The Age of Gold suite that was included on the Symphony 2 & 3 release from the 1987 CD. If you're looking for renditions of those pieces, you won't get them with this set.This is my favorite cycle of the DSCH symphonies.

The only qualification that I possess to allow me to review this collection is my love of classical music. And even that seems to me almost presumptuous in commenting upon the compositions of Dimitri Shostakovich. The variety of his compositional abilities and his mastery of symphonic orchestration is amazing. And when you realize the living conditions under which he was toiling during his years of work his accomplishments become monumental. Furthermore he chose never to leave his native Russia, unlike many of his contemporaries who decided that their artistic imaginations could not function under whichever Russian government was in power at a particular time. For anyone to even attempt to understand the work of Shostakovich, this collection or one like it is necessary for such contemplation.

The box set itself is probably the best compilation of Shostakovich symphonies I've found, so if you're going to enjoy this on CD, go for it. Though if you're looking to take advantage of Amazon's AutoRip to get a copy for your portable devices, it'll result in some frustration--while the rip quality is decent, though not quite the level I'd prefer for classical music, the track titles for the AutoRip tracks are completely nonsensical. They only state the portion of the symphony, not *which* symphony it's from, and for some reason each title is repeated twice. So either rip your own with the tracks named correctly the first time or be prepared for a lot of re-tagging.

Some of the finest orcjhestral recordings are here. #5 and #8 have the best sound of any recording and are among the greatest sounding orchestra recordings ever made. If you are looking for highly disonant, desolate Shostakovich - this is not for you. Haitink still lets even the most dismal moments in these works sing. Every collection should have this set.

ITEM AS DESCRIBED BY SELLER ACCURATE; BOX HLDING CD'S DAMAGED BUT CD'S ARE IN EXCELLENT SHAPE.

Comprehensive collection and and magnificent performances

For lovers of Shostakovich's symphonies: Excellent renditions. Excellent value.

In my opinion, the best complete package of the Shostakovich symphonies. Some critics claim that some of the recordings are too laid-back and lack energy, but I disagree. Haitink keeps time parameters very well, and the sound quality is first class. My favorites are number 5 ,7, 13 and 15. The price of the package is very reasonable.

Excellent recordings and performances with a great conductor.

The Music

just perfect!

Good package of music.