Keeping Score - Shostakovich Symphony 5 (6/6)

[abnermiralda24]

@fauxmaestro, many conductors take the ending at double time because Bernstein did it with the NY Philharmonic. In a perfect world, the ending would be fast and major, but it was written slow and minor perhaps to symbolize the oppression of the soviet government. For this very reason, the symbolic nature of it does not apply to every group and country, so many groups take it faster as homage to the victorious and free idea written on paper that the soviet peoples could only dream of.

[fauxmaestro]

Just my opinion but the maestro gets it right here in his description and execution of the finale. Many conductors do the ending faster with a big slow down on the last timpani/bass drum hits. Many believe that the score is mis-marked and do it twice as fast with a rit. that isn't marked. It is not mis-marked. It should feel uncomfortable.

[abviolinplayer]

that was amazing, thanks so much for posting!

[abviolinplayer]

damn, that dude kills the timpani!

[onagoodday1]

so beautiful!!

[MusicInvestigation]

0:24 - my favorite moment of the whole symphony, and one of Shostakovich's most extraordinary.

[Jitpring]

All fans of S must read this:

Testimony: The Memoirs of Dmitri Shostakovich

Controversial. But whether it's true or not, it's riveting reading.

[elbandocommando]

I wasn't ready for that to be over. Thank you so much for that. So much more to appreciate here than meets the ear and eye.

[hawaiyan]

Wonderful documentary!! Enjoyed it very much. Thanks for uploading it, since I cannot view the dvd in this part of the world...

[FelixSmall]

Thank you.

[ikshields]

Just imagine getting up on that podium to conduct the last movement of Shostakovich's 5th, and seeing the SFSO brass, and David Herbert, the world's most powerful timpanist, staring intently back at you.

At moments like that, Tilson-Thomas must be whispering to himself:

"ohhhhhhhhh..........yeahhhhhh­hhhhh!!!"

[BrassoMagnus]

@ikshields Fact: After concerts, the last thing Tilson-Thomas says before he goes to bed is "I'm the Juggernaut, BITCH!"

[Sternman318]

Thank you!

[WC3POchannel10A]

The finale of the symphony to me is the human spirit that never surrenders even in the face of the worst oppression. A hymn as one former Soviet artist says. To me it is a hymn to those who lived then and those who died to never give up.

[xcatshirx]

Wonderful documentary- many thanks :) Shostakovitch's music is amazingly inspirational

[cassini20]

I've always loved his music. Its nice to get some more background into his life and the music itself.

Excellent show!

[OriginalMoonbeam]

Thanks so much..I enjoy these documentaries very much!!!