Posted by Anthony Labelle on February 15, 2001 at 06:49:14:
In Reply to: Re: Shostakovich's 5th - Triumph or Tragedy? posted by Richard on February 15, 2001 at 01:52:59:
I saw Eije Ouie (sp.?) conduct Shosty 5 with the MN Orchestra about a year ago, and that's how he took the ending. Personally, I didn't like it at all... seems to me that it's for a very good reason that conductors don't "have the conviction" to take that route... "it stinks". (yes, I know it all comes down to personal opinion, and conductor's interpretation in the end... still doesn't mean it's not a lousy way to do it. ;) About one third of the audience left before the finale was done. I only stayed out of curiosity. After an incredible performance of Rach 1, followed by an incredible performance of 3/4 of Shosty 5, it took just this end part of the finale to ruin the concert for me. Mockery of a triumph? Mockery of a Finale, if you ask me.
Anthony