Your favourite Mravinsky recordings...?

[Andy Evans]

Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever, a genius of interpretation who could present familiar repertoire in revealingly different ways.

What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

[MELMOTH]

Post by Andy Evans
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

Absolutely ALL oF them !...
Especially Symph 8 by Costzkovitch (1947 !)...

[Gerard]

Post by Andy Evans
Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever, a genius of interpretation who could present familiar repertoire in revealingly different ways.
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

Some Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich recordings (symphonies) really stand out.

[Alex Brown]

Post by Gerard

Post by Andy Evans
Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever, a genius of
interpretation who could present familiar repertoire in revealingly
different ways.
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

Some Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich recordings (symphonies) really stand out.

Must say I've just not "got" the Mravinsky thing. Sure there's that good
DGG Tchaikovsky and an okay Shostakovich 8. Besides that I've heard a
bunch of stuff in forgettable renditions with screechy orchestras in
dreadful sound.

What I am missing?

[msw design]

Post by Alex Brown
What I am missing?

You may not be missing it, just not appreciating it: uniquely savage precision.

My fave Mra disc is probably the 82.11.18 Tchaik 5 that is on Russian Disc (what I have) and Brilliant. The DG performances are just a bit more studied by comparison (only by comparison). This one is fire start to finish.

[Craig Wallace]

Post by Alex Brown

Post by Gerard

Post by Andy Evans
Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever, a genius of
interpretation who could present familiar repertoire in revealingly
different ways.
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

Some Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich recordings (symphonies) really stand out.

Must say I've just not "got" the Mravinsky thing. Sure there's that good
DGG Tchaikovsky and an okay Shostakovich 8. Besides that I've heard a
bunch of stuff in forgettable renditions with screechy orchestras in
dreadful sound.
What I am missing?
--
- Alex Brown

Glazunov Raymonda Entr'acte in various performances, Glinka Russlan Ovt espec in the 1952 Budapest performance

[c***@gmail.com]

Post by Andy Evans
Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever, a genius of interpretation who could present familiar repertoire in revealingly different ways.
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

I'm a fan, and would start with his Prokofiev Sym #6, my favorite of all recordings. Try his Sibelius too, esp. Sym #7.

AC

[Andy Evans]

Sibelius and Shostakovich to be sure. I don't really listen to Tchaikovsky.

I'd mention his Debussy "L' Apres Midi d'un Faune" and Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony.

I don't get so much out of his Brahms, where I prefer Bruno Walter, but I should probably do more listening.

He doesn't seem to have recorded much (if any) full operas. I guess that in Soviet era Russia the opera houses were run separately from the symphony orchestra concerts.

[MELMOTH]

Post by Andy Evans
I don't get so much out of his Brahms, where I prefer Bruno Walter, but I
should probably do more listening.

Brahms symphonies ?...Try Kertesz/Vienna/Eloquence !...

[[e-mail]]

Post by Andy Evans
Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever, a genius of interpretation who could present familiar repertoire in revealingly different ways.
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

Tchaikovsky 4th is incredible

Ray Hall, Taree

[Frank Berger]

Post by Andy Evans
Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever, a genius of interpretation who could present familiar repertoire in revealingly different ways.
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

Sibelius Symphony no. 7 recorded live in Japan in 1977.
Altus 54.

[Sol L. Siegel]

Post by Andy Evans
Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever, a genius of
interpretation who could present familiar repertoire in revealingly
different ways.
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

Bruckner 8

Shostakovich 8, live 1982 (but only a properly-pitched copy -
Russian Disc, Regis or Alto. Other releases of this recording,
including Philips, were processed 3 percent faster, and
sharper.)

- Sol L. Siegel, Philadelphia, PA USA

[MELMOTH]

Post by Sol L. Siegel
Shostakovich 8, live 1982

1947 recording is much better...

[Bob Harper]

Post by Andy Evans
Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever, a genius of interpretation who could present familiar repertoire in revealingly different ways.
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

Sibelius 7-sui generis.

Bob Harper

[dk]

Post by Andy Evans
Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever,
a genius of interpretation who could present
familiar repertoire in revealingly different
ways.
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

I don't find Mravinsky interesting in anything
other than Russian music. Most of the time he
sounds like a Russian Toscanini with little
interest in color and texture, and a penchant
for express train delivery.

My litmus test for conductors is how they
pull off Debussy, Franck, Ravel, and Mozart.

dk

[Andy Evans]

Post by dk
I don't find Mravinsky interesting in anything
other than Russian music. Most of the time he
sounds like a Russian Toscanini with little
interest in color and texture, and a penchant
for express train delivery. My litmus test for conductors is how they
pull off Debussy, Franck, Ravel, and Mozart. > dk

I like the "Russian Toscanini" - that hits home. Well, Mravinsky didn't record much Ravel (Pavane, Bolero...) and I can't see any Frank. Not that interested in Mozart from what I can see. Don't blame him there. Try his L' Apres Midi d'un Faune and tell me what you think. I like it.

I see he recorded La Mer, Nocturnes and Clarinet rhapsody. I'll give those a listen. As mentioned, recordings are often poor, and the live ones have plenty of the usual Soviet bloc coughing.

[dk]

Post by Andy Evans

Post by dk
I don't find Mravinsky interesting in anything
other than Russian music. Most of the time he
sounds like a Russian Toscanini with little
interest in color and texture, and a penchant
for express train delivery. My litmus test for conductors is how they
pull off Debussy, Franck, Ravel, and Mozart. > dk

I like the "Russian Toscanini" - that hits home. Well, Mravinsky didn't record much Ravel (Pavane, Bolero...) and I can't see any Frank. Not that interested in Mozart from what I can see. Don't blame him there. Try his L' Apres Midi d'un Faune and tell me what you think. I like it.
http://youtu.be/9LpkGXLgPBo
I see he recorded La Mer, Nocturnes and Clarinet rhapsody. I'll give those a listen. As mentioned, recordings are often poor, and the live ones have plenty of the usual Soviet bloc coughing.

The coughs were inserted by CIA spies!

dk

[Alan Dawes]

Post by dk

Post by Andy Evans

I don't find Mravinsky interesting in anything other than Russian
music. Most of the time he sounds like a Russian Toscanini with
little interest in color and texture, and a penchant for express
train delivery. My litmus test for conductors is how they pull off
Debussy, Franck, Ravel, and Mozart. > dk

I like the "Russian Toscanini" - that hits home. Well, Mravinsky
didn't record much Ravel (Pavane, Bolero...) and I can't see any
Frank. Not that interested in Mozart from what I can see. Don't blame
him there. Try his L' Apres Midi d'un Faune and tell me what you
think. I like it.
http://youtu.be/9LpkGXLgPBo
I see he recorded La Mer, Nocturnes and Clarinet rhapsody. I'll give
those a listen. As mentioned, recordings are often poor, and the live
ones have plenty of the usual Soviet bloc coughing.

The coughs were inserted by CIA spies!
dk

Where's Bletchley Park when you need them to decode cough messages?

Alan

[Andy Evans]

On the subject of live orchestral concerts in Leningrad, I was there as a student in 1966. I attended a concert of Tchaikovsky's symphonies 4, 5, 6 by the Leningrad Philharmonic. The conductor was a lady who was none too thin. Fatigued by the travelling and bored by the the very average playing I fell asleep. I was awakened by a sharp dig in the ribs from the next chair, and the voice of another none too thin lady saying "If you want to sleep GO HOME. If you want to hear music STAY AWAKE!".

Fair enough, of course, and just one of the many invocations I had from none too thin Russian ladies during my trip (on buses etc...). But I did ask our guide why the famous Leningrad Philharmonic was so... well, boring. The answer was:
"You must understand that Russia is a very big place".
And......?
"The first 11 Leningrad Philharmonic orchestras are currently on tour. This is Leningrad Philharmonic number 12."

[number_six]

Post by Andy Evans
On the subject of live orchestral concerts in Leningrad, I was there as a student in 1966. I attended a concert of Tchaikovsky's symphonies 4, 5, 6 by the Leningrad Philharmonic. The conductor was a lady who was none too thin. Fatigued by the travelling and bored by the the very average playing I fell asleep. I was awakened by a sharp dig in the ribs from the next chair, and the voice of another none too thin lady saying "If you want to sleep GO HOME. If you want to hear music STAY AWAKE!".
"You must understand that Russia is a very big place".
And......?
"The first 11 Leningrad Philharmonic orchestras are currently on tour. This is Leningrad Philharmonic number 12."

Good anecdote! Sort of like being told a concert features the three Bs -- but it turns out to be Granville Bantock, Harrison Birtwistle and Havergal Brian...

[Owen]

Post by Alan Dawes

Post by dk

Post by Andy Evans

I don't find Mravinsky interesting in anything other than Russian
music. Most of the time he sounds like a Russian Toscanini with
little interest in color and texture, and a penchant for express
train delivery. My litmus test for conductors is how they pull off
Debussy, Franck, Ravel, and Mozart. > dk

I like the "Russian Toscanini" - that hits home. Well, Mravinsky
didn't record much Ravel (Pavane, Bolero...) and I can't see any
Frank. Not that interested in Mozart from what I can see. Don't blame
him there. Try his L' Apres Midi d'un Faune and tell me what you
think. I like it.
http://youtu.be/9LpkGXLgPBo
I see he recorded La Mer, Nocturnes and Clarinet rhapsody. I'll give
those a listen. As mentioned, recordings are often poor, and the live
ones have plenty of the usual Soviet bloc coughing.

The coughs were inserted by CIA spies!
dk

Where's Bletchley Park when you need them to decode cough messages?

They passed the messages on to other agents using cough drops.

-Owen

[M&S Frost]

Post by Andy Evans
Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever, a genius of interpretation who could present familiar repertoire in revealingly different ways.
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

Tchaikovsky 6th on Erato from 1992. Brilliant.

MIFrost

[Frank Berger]

Post by M&S Frost

Post by Andy Evans
Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever, a genius of interpretation who could present familiar repertoire in revealingly different ways.
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

Tchaikovsky 6th on Erato from 1992. Brilliant.
MIFrost

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think this is a 1983
recording, released in 1992.

[Gerard]

Post by M&S Frost

Post by Andy Evans
Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever, a genius of
interpretation who could present familiar repertoire in revealingly
different ways.
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

Tchaikovsky 6th on Erato from 1992. Brilliant.
MIFrost

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think this is a 1983 recording, released
in 1992.

Correct, you're wrong ;-)
The recording is from 17/10/1982. Released in 1991.

[Frank Berger]

Post by Gerard

Post by Frank Berger

On Thursday, September 24, 2020 at 5:46:39 AM UTC-4, Andy

Post by Andy Evans
Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever, a genius
of interpretation who could present familiar repertoire
in revealingly different ways.
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

Tchaikovsky 6th on Erato from 1992. Brilliant.
MIFrost

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think this is a 1983
recording, released in 1992.

Correct, you're wrong ;-)
The recording is from 17/10/1982. Released in 1991.

Erato 47561, 1982/10/17, released 1992 according to Discogs
and o this Mravinsky discography

http://www.mqcd-musique-classique.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7653&page=1

Erato 45756, 1983/12/24, also released 1992 according to
same sources.

[Gerard]

Post by Gerard

Post by M&S Frost

Post by Andy Evans
Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever, a genius of
interpretation who could present familiar repertoire in revealingly
different ways.
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

Tchaikovsky 6th on Erato from 1992. Brilliant.
MIFrost

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think this is a 1983 recording,
released in 1992.

Correct, you're wrong ;-)
The recording is from 17/10/1982. Released in 1991.

Erato 47561, 1982/10/17, released 1992 according to Discogs and o this
Mravinsky discography
http://www.mqcd-musique-classique.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7653&page=1
Erato 45756, 1983/12/24, also released 1992 according to same sources.

1982 and 1991 is information in the booklet of Erato CD 2292-45756-2.

[Frank Berger]

Post by Gerard

Post by Frank Berger

Post by Gerard

Post by Frank Berger

On Thursday, September 24, 2020 at 5:46:39 AM UTC-4,

Post by Andy Evans
Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever, a genius
of interpretation who could present familiar
repertoire in revealingly different ways.
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

Tchaikovsky 6th on Erato from 1992. Brilliant.
MIFrost

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think this is a 1983
recording, released in 1992.

Correct, you're wrong ;-)
The recording is from 17/10/1982. Released in 1991.

Erato 47561, 1982/10/17, released 1992 according to
Discogs and o this Mravinsky discography
http://www.mqcd-musique-classique.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7653&page=1
Erato 45756, 1983/12/24, also released 1992 according to
same sources.

1982 and 1991 is information in the booklet of Erato CD
2292-45756-2.

A conundrum. Re the release date, I suppose it's possuble
that when the booklet was printed they intended to release
it in 1991, but didn't until 1992. Whatever.

[M&S Frost]

Post by Frank Berger

Post by M&S Frost

Post by Andy Evans
Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever, a genius of interpretation who could present familiar repertoire in revealingly different ways.
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

Tchaikovsky 6th on Erato from 1992. Brilliant.
MIFrost

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think this is a 1983
recording, released in 1992.

I stand corrected.

MIFrost

[g***@gmail.com]

Post by Andy Evans
Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever, a genius of interpretation who could present familiar repertoire in revealingly different ways.
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

https://books.google.com/books?id=mL3Fde2egywC&pg=PA261&dq=%22mravinsky%27s+recordings%22&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj9l9iR0o_sAhVMwKQKHYfRDCMQ6AEwAHoECAQQAg#v=onepage&q=%22mravinsky's%20recordings%22&f=false

[g***@gmail.com]

Post by Andy Evans
Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever, a genius of interpretation who could present familiar repertoire in revealingly different ways.
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

https://books.google.com/books?id=mL3Fde2egywC&pg=PA261&dq=%22selected+discography%22+%22mravinsky%27s+recordings%22&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjisaeM04_sAhXGsKQKHUdwCtEQ6AEwAHoECAAQAg#v=onepage&q=%22selected%20discography%22%20%22mravinsky's%20recordings%22&f=false

[gggg gggg]

Post by Andy Evans
Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever, a genius of interpretation who could present familiar repertoire in revealingly different ways.
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

(Upcoming radio program):

https://www.wfmt.com/2022/05/01/rare-yevgeny-mravinsky-recordings-1

[gggg gggg]

Post by gggg gggg

Post by Andy Evans
Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever, a genius of interpretation who could present familiar repertoire in revealingly different ways.
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

https://www.wfmt.com/2022/05/01/rare-yevgeny-mravinsky-recordings-1

https://www.wfmt.com/2022/05/15/rare-yevgeny-mravinsky-recordings-3

[Dan Koren]

Post by Andy Evans
Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever,
a genius of interpretation who could present
familiar repertoire in revealingly different ways.
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

We no longer listen to Russian condictors and
orchestras, and have purged them all from our
library! ;-)

Otherwise, Mravinslky's/Leningrad's orchestra
sound was not exactly a match for some of the
repertoire he performed. His 1812 cannons did
not live up to expectations. ;-)

dk

[Dan Koren]

Post by Andy Evans
Arguably one of the greatest conductors ever,
a genius of interpretation who could present
familiar repertoire in revealingly different ways.
What are your stand-out recordings of Mravinsky?

We no longer listen to Russian conductors and
orchestras. We purged all their recordings from
our library! ;-)

Otherwise, Mravinslky's Leningrad's orchestra
sound was not exactly a match for some of the
repertoire he performed. His 1812 cannons did
not live up to expectations. ;-)

dk