Shostakovich - Sym No 5 - John Barbirolli, Halle Orch (1963, live) [Philidor; FLAC]

John Barbirolli (1899-1970) stayed with the Halle Orch for 27 years, and was their permanent conductor from 1943 to 1958. During that time he poured enormous energy into building his ensemble into the kind that, as he ruefully admitted, other conductors would try to swipe musicians from. As a result, he also mercilessly badgered the Halle city council for more money for his players, and was their staunchest advocate.

This Shostakovich Fifth was one of a series he gave in the orchestra's 1962/3 season, of a composer whose music he seldom led. Hearing it, analog sonics and all, it's difficult to understand why. Barbirolli doesn't just simply play for the big moments; every moment counts. The second movement mocks wonderfully, and the first builds with tremendous power to the march. The fourth is a bit ragged, but this was a live performance, and Barbirolli wasn't inclined to play it safe.

Bio in the folder.


You can find a complete list of my classical seeds by searching on Philidor, or in this thread:

http://kickasstorrents.ee/community/show/philidor-s-classical-stuff/?page=2#post15653490