One of the most beautiful things i've ever heard, the more i explore Shostakovich the more i am just blown away by the sheer invention etc etc of anything he produced.
The recording quality with the crackles gives the impression that they are reaching across time to communicate with us, a sublime piece. Preempting Górecki in places...
Like Thomas W I keep returning to this version. Unlike messes made by famous egos elsewhere on YT the musicians were friends and had rehearsed this recording informally many times before being in a 'studio'. The composer as pianist sets tempi and dynamics so precisely as to make this performance a kind of blueprint for all others yet the equality of respect is notable. In the last movement Shostakovich speeds up slightly to Oistrakh's excitement with the 'cello 'duel' then the tempo gradually slows after the very difficult wild stuff to exactly the main speed throughout so the final bars can be almost nonchalant, as in the quintet. The composer also follows Sadlo's 'breathing' phrasing in the Sollertinsky movement for most of it with just occasional bits of tightening to anticipate what comes later. It doesn't get any better than this by anyone.
I agree. Sometimes the stars are aligned. These performers were living thru the horror's of their time, and their interpretation reflects that. Very hard, if not impossible,for a modern day person to feel their intensity. I like the lack of modern-day recording options. I have heard many recordings throughout my lifetime thru the scratching. Sometimes I pretend that it's 1944 I am hearing it live from Prague via the wireless. This composition transcends time, and becomes in my mind a mourning for the entire world. We just may not survive this one............
Fantastic that this recording exists! Just a thought, I think Shostakovich sped up the third movement's beginning because of recording technical reasons: vinyls had only a certain length they could record and were expensive... There is also a cut in 19:09 that underlines this presumption.
Wonderful that this vintage recording with Oistrakh and Shostakovich himself is available. Listen for the theme of the last movement also appearing in his 8th string quartet, used to devastating effect in its fast movement.
I keep coming back to this recording …. It seems to fulfil all that is requested of this absolutely outstanding & unique composition of Master Shostakovich and supreme Master D a v I d !! …. who present this as it's undoubted truth and will of the composer ! …. To sound as he imagined in his creative super-musical mind !!…Rest- in- Peace , you musicians of a previous of music !! …. Humbly I thank you all for giving me the answer & pleasure to listen to you ….whenever I need it in this present wold of little wonder …… but lots of hope for a better future !! …..
Which makes sense, though... Shostakovich was fascinated by the style, and his friend Sollertinsky, to whose memory the piece was dedicated, was Jewish.
One of the most beautiful things i've ever heard, the more i explore Shostakovich the more i am just blown away by the sheer invention etc etc of anything he produced.
Reference version, unsurpassable, masterful, brilliant, I love it
It's very unlikely - to say the least - that these musicians thought they were making a "reference version" when they recorded this. :)
Andante - Moderato 0:00
Allegro con brio 6:49
Largo 9:30
Allegretto 14:01
End 23:11
Personal favourites of mine :)
2:27
4:00
7:07
8:15
14:44
18:37
The recording quality with the crackles gives the impression that they are reaching across time to communicate with us, a sublime piece.
Preempting Górecki in places...
Like Thomas W I keep returning to this version. Unlike messes made by famous egos elsewhere on YT the musicians were friends and had rehearsed this recording informally many times before being in a 'studio'.
The composer as pianist sets tempi and dynamics so precisely as to make this performance a kind of blueprint for all others yet the equality of respect is notable.
In the last movement Shostakovich speeds up slightly to Oistrakh's excitement with the 'cello 'duel' then the tempo gradually slows after the very difficult wild stuff to exactly the main speed throughout so the final bars can be almost nonchalant, as in the quintet.
The composer also follows Sadlo's 'breathing' phrasing in the Sollertinsky movement for most of it with just occasional bits of tightening to anticipate what comes later.
It doesn't get any better than this by anyone.
i agree
I agree. Sometimes the stars are aligned. These performers were living thru the horror's of their time, and their interpretation reflects that. Very hard, if not impossible,for a modern day person to feel their intensity. I like the lack of modern-day recording options. I have heard many recordings throughout my lifetime thru the scratching. Sometimes I pretend that it's 1944 I am hearing it live from Prague via the wireless. This composition transcends time, and becomes in my mind a mourning for the entire world. We just may not survive this one............
Fantastic that this recording exists!
Just a thought, I think Shostakovich sped up the third movement's beginning because of recording technical reasons: vinyls had only a certain length they could record and were expensive... There is also a cut in 19:09 that underlines this presumption.
Wonderful that this vintage recording with Oistrakh and Shostakovich himself is available. Listen for the theme of the last movement also appearing in his 8th string quartet, used to devastating effect in its fast movement.
Très brillante interprétation.
I keep coming back to this recording …. It seems to fulfil all that is requested of this absolutely outstanding & unique composition of Master Shostakovich and supreme Master D a v I d !! …. who present this as it's undoubted truth and will of the composer ! …. To sound as he imagined in his creative super-musical mind !!…Rest- in- Peace , you musicians of a previous of music !! …. Humbly I thank you all for giving me the answer & pleasure to listen to you ….whenever I need it in this present wold of little wonder …… but lots of hope for a better future !! …..
n o i c e
y e e i s
That finale tho... so klezmer.
Which makes sense, though... Shostakovich was fascinated by the style, and his friend Sollertinsky, to whose memory the piece was dedicated, was Jewish.
4:00 - 4:44 would sit well in the background of a scene of walking down the road in a remote town in the 60s with your loved one
This part feels so much like an incidental music. I love it so much.
I think the last name of the cellist is Sadlo, not Saldo... thanks for upload!!!
Oborin, Oistrakh, and Knushevitsky 1961
14:00
14:08
14:48
16:13
20:06
22:21
😅