Search - Dmitry Shostakovich, Valery Gergiev, St.Petersburg Kirov Orchestra :: Shostakovich: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 9 [Hybrid SACD]

Excellent recording. Brisk, refreshing interpretation.

MBA_Overlord | New York, NY United States | 06/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have greatly enjoyed this SACD. Both symphonies are well-recorded. Gergiev extracts strong performances from the brass, strings, and woodwinds . . . Quite a musical hat trick. In particuarly, I am fond of the performance of the 5th very compelling. The conductor takes a brisk tempo that lifts the movement up from the maudlin, plodding pace that many conductors including Benrstein take. Overall, there's a refreshing crispness to this interpretation. The sound is full and gives decent perspective of the orchestra without being over-miked. Dynamic contrasts are very large. Soundstaging is expansive. I really think that performing these symphonies live has really focussed the conductor and the orchestra. Basically, this recording is a good orchestral presentation on hybrid SACD.In sum, a much better recording than the "classic" Bernstein one. On that disc, you can hear how multiple sessions have been spliced into a Frankenstein's monster of recording. This disc could be standard to which the performance of all future performances of the 5th and 9th will be held."