Shostakovich – Symphony no. 5 in D minor – NewYork Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein
Early 20th Century classical | 1989 CBS CD 35854 | EAC: Apple lossless, no CUE, no LOG | HF 250 Mb +booklet

The Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47, of Dmitri Shostakovich is a symphony for orchestra composed between April and July 1937. Its premiere was on November 21, 1937 in Leningrad by the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra under Yevgeny Mravinsky. The work was a huge success, and is said to have received an ovation of at least 40 minutes, according to Mstislav Rostropovich.[1] It is still one of his most popular works.

Leonard Bernstein’s performances of Shostakovich were highly regarded. This performance of the Fifth Symphony was the highlight of his celebrated tour of the Soviet Union with the New York Philharmonic in 1959. The composer himself attended the performances and approved of Bernstein’s interpretation, which is the exact opposite of the traditional Russian one. Rather than take the finale ponderously, Bernstein flies through the music at a frantic pace, carrying it forward with irresistible momentum. The Ninth Symphony is the composer’s lightest and most carefree. Bernstein walks the fine line between humor and seriousness with acrobatic skill.