Favourite Shostakovich symphonic cycles

[darkmatter]

I have two that I am exploring at the moment the Haitink and the Kondrashin

Any other forum members enjoy his symphonies?

[darkmatter]

Still listening carefully to these at the moment both have their merits so not decided which I prefer overall my favourite 7 though is still the Paavo Berglund reading form the early /mid 70s

[tmokbel]

Hello Darkmatter,

I first listened to Shostakovich early last year (which clearly makes me a Shostakovich novice). It was Symphony No.5 conducted by Semyon Bychkov with the Berlin Philharmonic and is a Philips recording made in 1986. Though I don't know if it's part of a complete cycle, Bychkov / Berlin also recorded No.8 and No.11 with the same label.

I have listened to further recordings of No. 5 by L. Bernstein / New York Philharmonic, Yakov Kreizberg / Russian National Orchestra. I have not heard the Haitink or Kondrashin interpretations so I can't comment. The Bychkov reading is my favorite of the trio. It's dark, edgy, complex and beautiful and if it's not too expensive to find, highly recommended.

[darkmatter]

Hello tmokbel,
Thank you for your comments, will be interested to hear the versions you mention particularly the Bychlov :)