Artist(s): Conductor – Evgeny Mravinsky
Orchestra – Leningrad Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra
Recording Info: Released by – Melodiya 1962
Producer, Engineer – Aleksander Grosman
1 Revolutionary "Petrograd" Moderato, Allegro 11:34
2 Razliv: Allegro, Adagio 11:23
3 Aurora: Allegro 4:24
4 Down of Humanity: Allegro, Allegretto 9:43
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Shostakovich Symphony No. 12 "1917" - Evgeny Mravinsky
The sound quality is below what HDDT used to me, but I have the impression that it probably comes from the initial recording. Not disappointed with this purchase despite that, The interpretation is masterful.

Pleasant experience
I am always surprised what can came out of old master tapes and to enjoy ancient performers.
Definitive Shostakovich
Shostakovich’s Seventh, Eleventh and Twelfth Symphonies commemorate actual events (only the first movement of No. 13 is about Babi Yar), but only the last two have named movements. Being Shostakovich inevitably there is some confusion about whether he originally intended to satirise Lenin and whether he recomposed the work not long before its first performance. Whatever is the case the works grandiose, in-your-face bombast lacks the composer’s usual biting irony, satire, savagery, angst-ridden genius. Nevertheless, Mravinsky and his orchestra gave the first performance in October 1961 and shortly after made this studio recording for Radio Moscow. He was by some distance the greatest Shostakovich conductor and his no-holds barred violence is alarming but he manages to invest the Adagio with some sense of bleakness. As a bonus, in 1961 the Leningrad Philharmonic was one of the worlds’ greatest orchestras and their playing is echt Russian. In terms of the sound, you can discount the thin, raucous CD transfers that have appeared from Melodiya, BMG etc. and go back to the superb HMV LP, ASD 2598 and the same found in the complete box of his Symphonies, SLS 5025, which have immense presence, power and of course true analogue timbres. But the HDTT DSD256 is just as good, with a better dynamic range and if anything even more weight and projection.


A searing performance of Shostakovich's most fraught symphony
A searing performance of Shostakovich's most fraught symphony. I have long been a fan of Mravinsky's performances of Shostakovich. He gets right the power, drive, and menace which pervade quite a few of Shostakovich's symphonies, including the 12th. He may not pick up on the sarcasm and cynicism which modern listeners now expect, but his performances are always alert, powerful and immensely brutal where called to be. In this performance, Mravinksy and the orchestra are in full battle mode -- insistent driving rhythmic bowing from the strings, powerful tympani, forceful brass -- it is one gut stroke followed by the next. Yet the slower, lyrical "Ravliv" movement gets a full dose of beauty and melancholy before we are returned to the storm. My only reservation about Mravinsky's recordings over the years has been the often coarse brittle sound from the Melodyia (and later U.S. Angel) pressings. This HDTT transfer does not suffer from that. Finally, with this HDTT release, we get sound with excellent string tone, good frequency balance and excellent detail without harshness. If I'm correct, This is an excellent release that I am most grateful to have in my music library.

A searing performance of one of Shostakovich's most fraught symphonies
A searing performance of one of Shostakovich's most fraught symphonies. I have long been a fan of Mravinky's recordings of Shostakovich. His performances have drive and power, and in this live performance of the 12th, his drive is unrelenting. From start to finish this performance packs a wallop. There is nothing refined or beautiful here. It is an orchestra in battle, with thundering percussion, driving force from strings, and powerful brass -- plenty of bite and drama. The only challenge with Mravinsky recordings over the years has been the often brittle, harsh sound of the both the original Melodyia and the later U.S. Angel pressings. This tape does not suffer from those shortcomings. The sound is open, well balanced, and without upper frequency glare or harshness. Also, while I believe this is a live concert performance from October 1961, released on LP by Melodyia in 1962, I don't hear any extraneous audience noise. Another excellent HDTT transfer that I am delighted to now have in my musical library.
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