18.2.15

A Survey of Shostakovich Symphony Cycles


An Index of ionarts Discographies



Ed. 10/2023: Broken image were fixed and Wigglesworth actual set was added. Added Alto's "GREAT RUSSIAN CONDUCTORS" cycle at the bottom (since chronlogical listing doesn't make too much sense. For details of its contents (there, as elsewhere), mouse-over the image.

Ed. 01/2023: Many broken links were fixed and Wigglesworth actual set was added. Also added Rostropovich's latest re-release.

Ed. 01/2019: Just added the new Thomas(!) Sanderling cycle on Sony.

Ed. 01/2017: Just added the new Sladkovsky cycle on Melodiya.


Like the Beethoven Piano Sonata Cycle Survey, the Sibelius Symphony Cycle Survey, the Bruckner Cycle Survey, the Dvořák Symphony Cycle Survey, and the Bach Organ Cycle Survey, this is a mere inventory of what has been recorded and whether it is still available. Favorites are denoted with the “ionarts’ choice” graphic. A semi-interesting aside: Unlike with Bruckner or Sibelius cycles, there is no conductor who has recorded or even attempted two cycles of DSCH Symphonies. Valery Gergiev, who recorded the "War Symphonies" for Philips and is now heading towards a complete cycle on the Mariinsky Orchestra's own label [Ed.: and has just issued a DVD cycle recorded at Paris’ Salle Pleyel], comes closest... along with or after Rostropovich, now that I think of it, who recorded the whole cycle for Telarc and then repeated certain symphonies on the LSO Live label (the sister-label of the Mariinsky's).

The sets are listed in chronological order. If you can add or correct information, you are most welcome to do so. Where known, the earliest and last recording date (and some additional information, where deemed pertinent) are added in ‘mouseover’ text on the set’s image. Where sets are available in different editions, I have elected to list them where reasonable. For certain sets I have also made special lists that contain its individual releases. Sometimes this is the only way to still get one's hands on a cycle (Roshdevstvensky comes to mind), sometimes it might be easier that way to fill a gap. Sometimes it's just interesting to look at the covers. Comments are very welcome.


















































































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4 comments:

  1. UnknownJuly 29, 2018 4:43 AM

    Hi there,

    You state here that Jansons' 1988 Leningrad Symphony is with the Oslo Philharmonic - it's actually with the Leningrad Philharmonic.

    ReplyDelete
  2. jflOctober 04, 2018 5:40 AM

    Thanks much for the correction!

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownJune 22, 2020 10:18 PM

    James DePreist has a complete cycle with the Helsinki Philharmonic, I believe!

    ReplyDelete
  4. jflJanuary 25, 2023 6:35 PM

    Re: James DePreist, I can only find Nos. 5, 10, and 11, actually. But every hinter is MUCH appreciated. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete