Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5, Op. 47 - Barber: Adagio for Strings, Op. 11 (Live) Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, & Manfred Honeck

• Dmitri Shostakovich (1906 - 1975):
• 1 Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, Op. 47: I. Moderato - Allegro non troppo (Live) 17:16
• 2 Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, Op. 47: II. Allegretto (Live) 05:47
• 3 Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, Op. 47: III. Largo (Live) 15:19
• 4 Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, Op. 47: IV. Allegro non troppo (Live) 12:25
• Samuel Barber (1910 - 1981):
• 5 Adagio for Strings, Op. 11 (Live) 09:21
• Total Runtime 01:00:08

Info for Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5, Op. 47 - Barber: Adagio for Strings, Op. 11 (Live)

Reference Recordings proudly presents these two beloved works in definitive interpretations from Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, in superb audiophile sound.

In his fascinating and scholarly music notes, Maestro Honeck gives us great insight into the history of both pieces, and describes how he conducts and interprets each. He reminds us that Joseph Stalin’s Soviet government was offended by Shostakovich’s previous works. Under threat of arrest or banishment to Siberia, Shostakovich devised a new, less-complex compositional style for the 5th Symphony, still full of irony and double meaning, to appease Stalin and appeal to the common people.

The Adagio of Samuel Barber is his most performed work, and one of the most popular of all 20th Century orchestral works. It is beloved for its beautiful simplicity and emotion. Manfred Honeck describes Barber’s 1967 a capella version for mixed choir using the “Agnus Dei” text, and tells us his own interpretation is inspired by this text. He says it is “for me, without a doubt, the key to finding a deeper sense of this piece. Perhaps it is for this reason that the Adagio has enchanted and moved audiences around the world since its very first incarnation and has continued to do so in all subsequent versions born since.”

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Manfred Honeck, conductor

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Booklet for Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5, Op. 47 - Barber: Adagio for Strings, Op. 11 (Live)