Cheap The Story of the Symphony Vol. 6 - Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 (Video) Price

Related Products

Customer Reviews of The Story of the Symphony Vol. 6 - Shostakovich Symphony No. 5

Irregular performance, awful sound
I couldn't agree more with the previous commenter (except for his generous rate of two stars): The tempi which Previn chooses are too slow (for a score that has precise metronome marks),and there are phrasing errors here and there, obnoxious glissandi in the violins that simply shouldn't be there and some messy passages one wouldn't expect from The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with such a conductor. <
> <
>But the worst of all is the sound, which is normalized, so from mf to fff don't expect any dynamic change: it just won't sound louder but "pushed down". And the transfer from tape to DVD is very disappointing too. I think the tune problems Mr. VanStryland found are actually speed irregularities in the original tape which make listening a true torture.

---

Also worth owning by fans of Vaughan Williams and Roy Harris
I thoroughly enjoyed this video, as I have enjoyed other videos in this series. Previn is the ideal host: clear, calm, authoritative but not smug, witty but not overly clever, and obviously in love with music and the people who compose it. He does not dominate in the performance; anyone who wants to see the details of how the music is made (rather than merely watching a conductor) will value this film. A special treat is the inclusion of the entire 3rd movement of Vaughan Williams's fifth sympthony, as well as the inclusion of part of a movement of the Roy Harris symphony #3. Anyone who loves Previn's performances of Vaughan Williams (whose music needs on film much more than it is) will treasure this video. Anyone who appreciates music that is not of the "dropped silverware" variety will also appreciate some of Previn's slightly pointed comments in the first part of the film.

---

Previn Conducts & Explains Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony
There have been many conductors who have favored the music of Dimitri Shostakovich and have played his music at concerts and in recordings. Most of the recordings I have heard have been satisfactory, but not definitive, except for Andre Previn's recording of Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony. When Previn was in his musical prime in England he showed a mastery of Shostakovich's music. The video that was recorded of the Fifth Symphony may not be the best example of Previn's mastery of the piece; however, it is worthwhile having in one's collection. Buy the cassette or CD of Previn's interpretation of this excellent symphony to determine how thrilling it can be if performed properly. Maxim Shostakovich also performed his father's music with great virtuosity, understanding and love.