SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony N0. 8

Shostakovich's Symphony No. 8 is my favorite of the cycle. Like a Mahler symphony, it tries to represent and succeeds in covering large stretches of the human canvas. It plumbs greater depth of terror than the over-played 5th, and is engrossing in its enigma.

I have several complete box sets of Shostakovich symphonies, like Barshai, Haitink, Jansons and Ashkenazy, but my favorites in this symphony lie outside those boxes.

The benchmark is of course the legendary Mravinsky's 1982 live version with the Leningrad (click here for interesting review), now issued as a budget CD on Regis. The old Philips was long out of print, and controversial for pitching (said to be a semitone off; meaning the engineering, not the orchestra). Aside from terrifying power when appropriate, this is incomparably characterful playing with an urgent, acerbic, even acidic quality to the sonority that just IS the music.

But the Previn/LSO is the one I grew up with and still play the most. It has recently been re-issued on budget EMI Encore (while you're at it, grab also its companion issue, Previn's Shostakovich No.4, very good though the piece is a harder nut to crack). Not only is it shattering in its power, it has by far the most stunning sonics (who else, by the 2 Chistophers) to merit the designation "Desrt Island Disc". Believe me, sonics is important in this symphony!!!

BOTH these issues are available at budget price now. Grab them ASAP.

Here's a related video that I think you shall enjoy:

Mravinsky conducts Shostakovich 8th (Brilliant! Sound not bad!)