Shostakovich 5th rant

I've grown used to the hype of Leonard Bernstein's celebrated recording of Shostakovich's 5th and 9th symphonies with the New York Philharmonic. Yeah, the composer himself witness Lenny conducted it in Moscow and although he did some "improvisations" with the composer's markings, Shostakovich himself was impressed. Yet as time passes, the recording got caught dated eventually (classicstoday gave it perfect 10 for recording sound, rofl!). The recording is as dry as a catacomb in egypt, which exposes some annoying shrillness, especially the hideous vibrato in the flute solo near coda of first movement of 5th symphony. There's no denying NYPO under Lenny kicked ass (otherwise NYPO is so overrated after him) and the finale of the Fifth is one roller-coaster of orchestral virtuosity but somehow I do not think he gets the work's emotional core. The terrifying march in the first movement lacked terror and the largo lacked emotional desolation. Just listen to Bernard Haitink conducting Concertgebouw Orchestra and you get the difference.

If like me, you think the recording is overrated here's one that is a breath of fresh air. Alexander Rahbari's recording with the BRT Philharmonic of Brussels is underrated considering how flooded the market is with number of well-played Fifths but come on, it's a steal at budget price! I love the way he steers the tempo of 1st movement's march with gripping urgency and the ethereal numbness in the concluding bars of the Largo. Better, the 9th symphony is my personal favorite. The Moderato movement seldom sounded so haunting and melancholic with underneath it bittersweet irony and dark humour. The following Presto is infectious thanks to brilliant wind playing. Although Bernstein's last two movements is slightly better, maestro Rahbari's overall conception of the Ninth won me over. Sure the BRT Philharmonic doesn't hold a candle against the NYPO, but then again the latter recording doesn't age well like a wine.

Bernstein/NYPO:

Technical: 10
Interpretation: 7
Recording: 5

Rahbari/BRT Philharmonic

Technical: 8
Interpretation: 9
Recording: 8