As a historic document, this recording of Shostakovich's Eighth Symphony by Artur Rodzinski and the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York from October 15, 1944, is quite interesting, even fascinating. The performers had given the work its American premiere on April 22, 1944, and their account six months later has a palpable sense of urgency that still compels respect six decades later on this 2007 Guild release. The opening Adagio's awesome intensity, the Allegretto and Allegro non troppo's propulsive drive, the Largo ...
Read More
As a historic document, this recording of Shostakovich's Eighth Symphony by Artur Rodzinski and the Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra of New York from October 15, 1944, is quite interesting, even fascinating. The performers had given the work its American premiere on April 22, 1944, and their account six months later has a palpable sense of urgency that still compels respect six decades later on this 2007 Guild release. The opening Adagio's awesome intensity, the Allegretto and Allegro non troppo's propulsive drive, the Largo's unbearable tragedy, and the concluding Allegretto's guarded release are informed and infused by the spirit of those war-torn times. There are, of course, more recent performances that are better played. The New York strings sometimes go out of tune and the brass is occasionally too strident. And naturally there are many more recent recordings with much better sound. This is, after all, a 1944 air check, and even superbly remastered by Peter Reynolds, there's only so much color,...
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
New in very good packaging. Originally released: 2007. The great Polish-born conductor Artur Rodzinski (1892-1958) was one of the most charismatic transcontinental conductors during the twenty-five years from 1933 to 1958. A brilliant pianist and conductor, he was Stokowski's choice as assistant conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Three years later, Rodzinski became Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and in 1933 Music Director of The Cleveland Orchestra. Ten years later Rodzinski was appointed Music Director of the New York Philharmonic, when this historically vital recording of Shostakovich's monumental Eighth Symphony was made in 1944, not long after conductor and orchestra had given the US premiere of this war-time Soviet masterpiece. It is therefore a document of the highest significance, and this modern digital transfer marks the first time this performance has ever been issued on disc.
