frozencoffee (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Damn, it's too easy to click the wrong button. Meant to mod this up, not down. Sorry!I personally feel that music is too open to interpretations for anyone to be able to day definitely that the "meaning" is this or that. The "sarcasm" angle could very well have been invented to make this "kosher" for (commie-fearing) U.S. audiences. This is great music and need not have any propaganda value either way.

kpenchev (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Mravinsky = Shostakovich That is the best combination. Shostakovich wrote, Mravinsky listened...The best recordings are Mravinsky with Leningrad Phil! No doubt about it...plus Shostakovich was there on the most rehearsals and concerts...so....you cant beat that...

edgluhrs (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

I've heard both the faster and slower endings. I have no preference - depends on the conductor's particular strengths. No one questions Mravinsky, though - the results speak for themselves. He himself is low key to watch - it's what amazing cohesion and power he commanded from a symphony orchestra. The sound is amazing - you should hear him to the Tchaikovsky symphonies! Anyway, the concluding moments here are really unbelievable.

TheIronTriangle (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

What a sorry horn solo. And, yes, the tempo is too fast.

laiffi (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

worsest

BOSOX9004 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

This is really it.This is what Shostakovich wanted.Terribly frightening

MintySpunkBubble (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Also, in this performance, I see the finale as the defeat of Stalin rather than one of his own victories. I just can't imagine what the reaction to the first performance of this was like.

MintySpunkBubble (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

At times, to me, the bombastic fanfares of "victory" are constantly undercut with despair and tradgedy. I'm sure a few in the audience at the premiere sensitive to the music were squirming uncomfortably in their seats. The sarcastic feeling of certain parts seem quite damning to me.

kraftmclean (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

then either Stalin was wrong, or Shostakovich was, or you are.I know which of the three I find most likely.

kraftmclean (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

you mean all the audience 'got it' except the Stalinists?that's hardly likely, is it? unless Stalin and his henchmen had different ears to everyone else. this whole ironic, hidden message, sarcasm idea is so obvioulsy nonsense that it's amazing that people still believe it. Shos wrote every note in this piece to satisy Stalin in order to save his own life once he realised his earlier works were losing favour. there's no hidden message for 'smart people'. but there's still good music.