The Greatest Recordings EVER! Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10. Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Karel Ančerl (cond.) DG

[@sleepjar7013]

I bought this cd after the first time you spoke about it and it is astonishing. I’ve considered it one of the greatest recordings in my collection ever since. Bravo!

[@MiguelSBR]

I love your series, Dave! Idk what it would be of my days without your videos. We all love you! And I recommend for this new series Dvorak's 9th symphony by Fricsay, the Stereo one! I'm sure it deserves a place on this series.

[@louiskravitz9625]

Hot hot hot stuff!! That second movement leaves me breathless!!!

[@MichaelFrontz]

Gotta say, after being slightly skeptical of this series (shared some of the same concerns you had!) this is off to a great start. This was a great recording, and the historical context you provided increased my enjoyment of it. Loved the wind sonority, the tempi and the intelligent shaping of phrases. Looking forward to listening through this series!

[@tsult81]

I love you for trying... and what an excellent undisputed first choice... good luck with the rest!

[@michelangelomulieri5134]

A real must-have!!

[@kumo-kun1831]

I was exciting to hear a Shostakovich 10 that finally felt right! Prior to today I felt the Shostakovich 10 is a masterpiece that I never understand, perhaps due to my lack of experience, but now i feel the thrill! Wonder would you do some videos on Medtner?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I would love to, and I plan to, but I can't tell you exactly when.

[@christophersmith6841]

If this is as good as his Mahler 9, then I'm all in! (Bought on your recommendation, Ancerl's recording really opened up the M9 for me, so thanks for that)

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

It is, for sure.

[@alexiusa.pereira9956]

Dear Dave, please keep the historiographical / musicological/ contextual background stories behind the rest of the greatest recordings ever series. The story of the Czech Phil showing it to the Russians was an eye opener. Thank you.

[@user-et8mh2ki1c]

Thank you so much, Dave. What a great story about how music, culture, and personal experience can all come together to make a unified statement. I don't know the recording yet, but I will. Wesley

[@geertdecoster5301]

🙂 What music and story behind the music yet again. What Ančerl had was an incredible degree of strength and toughness. So much so that one can hear it by how he guided the Czech Phil along, economically and effectively. Nothing on the run but solid as a rock facing down the storm

[@alanmcginn4796]

What a series this is going to be! Dave. Your knowledge is just astounding. What a KZbin channel. Btw. Ancerl. Did he actually make a bad recording???

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Not really...

[@richardgoldberg4310]

An auspicious start.

[@fredcasden]

Can't wait!!!!!

[@davidaltschuler9687]

FWIW, this is also the fastest S.10 I've ever heard, even counting the Mitropoulos NYPO recorded a year earlier (1954).

[@JK-rt2jj]

Except that there is a tam tam missing in the back, there is nothing left to be desired with this series. Great great great, oeh yea baby!

[@DavidJohnson-of3vh]

YES! Preach it, Dave!

[@pelodelperro]

I can't find the article! Any help?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

It was in the Village Voice. How you access their archive I have no idea.

[@joncheskin]

A fun thing to do is listen to Ancerl and Mravinsky side by side, I tried the 2nd movement and I agree, it is no contest. The Czech Phil plays with unbelievable accuracy and ferocity, with better sonics as well. Would be interesting to know if Shostakovich himself knew the recording and what he thought of it.

[@jdeeside]

I'll cry if Jessye Norman's 4 Last Songs don't make it on the list. What a fab series this could turn out to be.

[@peacearchwa5103]

Blushingly, I confess to having not heard this recording. The contemporaneous Mitropoulos/New York Philharmonic record has been my "go-to" for this piece. I am very eager to audition this Ancerl/Czech PO performance.

[@gomro]

Can't wait to find out who did the best La Creation du Monde, or Ameriques, or Pacific 231. Among other things. As for this Ancerl Shostakovich -- top notch choice, thanks! I'd never heard it...

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

This isn't about the best versions of specific works, but rather the greatest recordings. They may or may not be included!

[@gomro]

Ah, I missed the point! Still pretty sure I can guess your AMERIQUES -- Abravanel on Vanguard!

[@f.scottwalters7349]

The Czech Phil/Ancerel Shostakovich 7th is also a powerful performance, especially the third movement. Thanks for the ref. Will keep an eye out.

[@rogerchristensen5792]

Do you know If Shostakovich himself said anything about this recording?

[@HusseinHafez]

I'm listening to this right now and though I understand why Dave is raving on about this recording I recommend not listening to it using bright speakers as it is recorded quite bright

[@sean-kb4wr]

It would be lovely to see Rachmaninoff or Scriabin somewhere in this latest series

[@rolandonavarro3170]

De acuerdo 100%

[@mr.cloudinator1347]

Very fine recording that I never heard of, once again, thank you Dave! I had a special request, the Brahms Symphonies and Beethoven Symphonies conducted by Joe Hisaishi, the composer-conductor, published under Exton. It would be such a “fun” time to see your opinions on his performance on the music, spoilers alert, the passacaglia from Brahms 4th symphony is done under 9 minutes! It is a very interesting set for me, and the controversial interpretation would definitely be fun to discuss on.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I appreciate the suggestion, but I don't think so. The recordings are too difficult to source (as physical product), and too expensive too. I may do some videos on Hisaishi though--he's done some very fine work.

[@larrymatheson8414]

What’s the violin concerto on there? The composer’s name is too small to read. Is that recording good too?

[@sleepjar7013]

@larrymatheson8414 it’s Stravinsky and it’s outstanding.

[@AlexMadorsky]

Yes, Stravinsky and it is outstanding.

[@Jean-PhilippeSurivet]

Stravinski's violoin concerto played by W. Schneiderhan. No clue about the artistic quality.

[@larrymatheson8414]

Thanks, friends!

[@vinylarchaeologist]

@@larrymatheson8414 A very good Stravinsky violin concerto recording, in my view. Really assertive playing by Schneiderhan. And in lovely stereo sound, too.

[@garethwilliams976]

Am I correct in there being really fine early Supraphon recordings because the authorities turned a blind eye and allowed the import of high quality recording equipment from the West - mainly German? It has been rumoured.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I have no idea.

[@gaborozorai3714]

Classical music was always supported in the Eastern Block and cultural output - whether for domestic use or export - was to some extent a form of propaganda. Equipment that was needed for its production, if not manufactured within the Block, could be imported, not smuggled. Hungarian Qualiton/Hungaroton's record cutting lathes, microphones, etc, were all Western imports, mainly Neumann. On the other hand, within the COMECON Hungary was charged with the production of studio and PA equipment. The Hungarian made Mechlabor STM series of studio tape recorders were excellent (collectors' items to this day) and I guess must have been used by all/most studios in Eastern Europe.

[@vinylarchaeologist]

@@gaborozorai3714 I got to visit the Eletrecord studio in Romania, and all of their equipment from the late 1950s on was imported directly from EMI/Abbey Road. They still have most of it there, including an old EMI 2-track tape recorder, a small army of Studer A-80s, and plenty of Neumann mics. I was amazed at the quality of the equipment. I even got to talk to two of their former sound engineers, one who had emigrated to Germany and one to the USA, and later Israel.

[@januscjakobsen]

Dear Dave. I have a challenge for you. Listen to Petrenko's version with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic again, and then honestly say that Ancerl's version is better. While I wholeheartedly agree that Ancerl's rendition is EXCELLENT, in my opinion, no one can surpass Petrenko.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

This isn't about "the best." That ultimate accolade is a purely personal choice. Ancerl's is one of the greatest recordings ever. If someone comes along later in better sound (that's not a question) and you prefer that version, fine. But to say "no one can surpass X" is a meaningless statement on its face. .

[@januscjakobsen]

@@DavesClassicalGuide Point taken. I meant to say, "in my opinion, no one has surpassed Petrenko." Thank you so much for all your fantastic reviews and recommendations! I am a huge fan.

[@davekeyes5589]

I don’t own this, sadly, so don’t know the exact recording date. The Hungarian uprising was in October 1956. Not to any additional extra musical layering, but if this was recorded late in the year it could well be Ancerl and the Czechs reaction to the invasion.

[@nigelsimeone9966]

According to the booklet, it was recorded at the Herkulessaal in Munich in October 1955.