The Fifth is not only Shostakovich's most popular symphony, it's also one of the greatest 20th-century exemplars of the form. In this chat, I will tell you what the best versions are, but we'll also take a look at the mythos surrounding the work, and consider how brilliant it is taken purely as music, above and apart from its notorious backstory.
Musical Examples courtesy of Naxos Records
Note: I misspoke in saying that there is no heavy brass in the second movement--that was incorrect, as a viewer kindly pointed out.
21 сен 2024