Search - Shostakovich, Muti, Phl :: Symphony 5 / Festive Overture

Best 5th and Festive Overture out there

Robert Timmers | Atlanta, GA | 01/11/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I previously owned the Ormandy recording of Shostakovich's 5th symphony which was superbly done. However, Muti had a much better brass section to work with, which is featured quite a bit by Shosty. And, according to my friend that is bass trombonist "It's just.....perfect." The brass really put out in these songs and have a great sound doing it. My favorite moment on this CD is the reentry of the melody in the 4th mvt that Muti takes slower than most. It creates an insanely creepy effect and then draws out the end to its fullest. The 4th mvt runs about 2 minutes longer than most because Muti rings every last ounce of the symphony out. And it's not one of those recording where it seems to drag on and on and you can't wait until they finish but quite the opposite. Once their done you wish they would keep playing because they're so good. Fortunately you do. Festive Overture comes right after and is done splendidly. The brass keep a warm, characteristic sound that really fits the piece. When I was playing this in band, our conductor said "Don't make sound like I want to kill you." And I thought, "It's Shostakovich, it's gotta sound like that. It'll sound bad any other way." But this recording proved me wrong. It gives that noble sound that the piece was written for. It's a shame that these Muti recordings are so few now because they the best that you can come buy. I honestly think that he could very well have been the greatest conductor of all time. But that's just me. You can think whatever you want, but I think you'll agree with me once buy this recording, or any other recording of his with the exception of a very few. So buy this while you still can!!!!!"

Decent reading with excellent performance

meltbanana | 07/31/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Philadelphia Orchestra plays superbly in this recording, and the sound quality is stellar. However, I find this to be one of the less moving performances I have heard of this symphony. Dynamics and tempo are done well, and Muti has excellent attention to detail, but there is a missing edge-of-your-seat element in many areas, particularly the slow sections (the entire 3rd movement, and the middle of the final movement).



I feel like Muti excels in the buildup to the earthshattering climax of the 1st movement, and does a great job with the scherzo and the opening of the final movement. Halfway through the final movement, he loses a lot of the edge and suspense that I find to be so prominent on better recordings (Previn and both Bernstein's come immediately to mind). He makes up for it in one of the best performed and best recorded finales... a slow interpretation that surpasses Rostropovich. For a slow ending, I still prefer the Ashkenazy, which is sadly out-of-print.



It is a very good recording, but I cannot recommend it as a first for those who haven't heard the piece. Overall, it is uneven with some very good moments, and one of the best recorded (sound-wise) performances of this piece I have heard. Recommended for DSCH 5 enthusiasts and collectors."