1939 FIRST Recording SHOSTAKOVITCH Symph 5 STOKOWSKI 78

$

36

WEEK 1 of two weeks of great auctions ending May 11.

IF you are a non-US buyer or if buy multiple records, pls do not use EBAY check out.
Send me an invoice request (click on MORE ACTIONS to the right of the item), I can probably get you better shipping rate.

I am happy to hold your records and combine you winnings in one economic parcel after May 11.
Due to the volume of sales, invoicing and shipping may take up to 48 hours.

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I am currently selling a series of great Richard Wagner and classic European 78 rpm orchestral recordings on all the great European labels:

First  recording of a Dmitri Shostakovitches SOVIET Masterwork in 1939.

Leopold Stokowski (like Toscanini) early recognized the importance of Shostakovitches music, and made first recordings of his Symph 1 in 1933, the 5 in 1939, immediately after its premiere the 6th in 1940, and the famous Leningrad Symphony in 1942.

This great recording of Dmitry Shostakovitches grand and brooding 5th symphony. This was really cutting edge modern music for its time, and even more from the class enemy.

Complete recording of this monumental work on 6 12" 78 rpm records with original album and notes.

Condition: EXCELLENT, quiet, album like new

Funny observation: At first, he was spelled SZOSTAKOWICZ in the US (someone with a Polish background did the transliteration) ON this album, the spine spells him Polish, and the notes in the standard transliteration.
Consistency, Huh?

Here is some more info from a review:

Stokowski made the recording of this symphony with the Philadelphia Orchestra on 20 April 1939.  That performance really ought to be heard, the orchestra and Stokowski bring out an oriental atmosphere not found in most performances. Stokowski made a second commercial recording for Everest with the Stadium Symphony Orchestra of New York (the NYPO in Summer drag) in 1958.

The Symphony No. 5 in D minor (Opus 47) by Dmitri Shostakovich was written between April and July of 1937 and first performed in Leningrad by the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra under Yevgeny Mravinsky, on 21 November that year. The work was a huge success, and is said to have received an ovation of half an hour (or a whole hour, according to Mstislav Rostropovich[citation needed]). It is still one of his most popular works.

Reception
A journalist gave the work the subtitle A Soviet Artist’s Reply to Just Criticism, a reference to the denunciation of the composer in 1936[1]. It was officially interpreted as a Bildungsroman describing "the making of a man"[citation needed], with an appropriately optimistic conclusion. Alexei Tolstoy wrote that, "the personality... begins to resonate with the epoch... Our audience responds enthusiastically to all that is bright, clear, joyous, optimistic, life-affirming".[2]

However, this final movement, often being criticized for sounding shrill, is declared in Testimony to be a parody of shrillness, representing "forced rejoicing". In the words of the composer: "There is a feeling of rejoicing, but it is one of forced rejoicing. It is as if someone is beating you with a stick and telling you 'your business is rejoicing!' over and over again. Eventually, you walk away muttering 'my business is rejoicing.'" This is symbolised by the repeated "A"'s at the end of the final movement in the violin and upper woodwind sections[citation needed]. It includes a quotation from the composer's song "Rebirth" , accompanying the words "A barbarian painter" who "blackens the genius's painting".[3] In the song, the barbarian's paint falls away and the original painting is reborn. It has been suggested that the barbarian and the genius are Stalin and Shostakovich respectively[citation needed]. The work is largely sombre despite the composer's official claim that he wished to write a positive work.

Though impossible to confirm, it seems evident in many passages that Schostakovich did not intend to compose a mindless triumphant symphony in an attempt to reenter the Russian music scene with the approval of the Stalinist regime. The march in the first movement is more of a parody of marching than one that draws the feet to tap the beat. The third movement is invariably sad, nostalgic and haunting rather than depicting the struggle of the working class or other progressive ideas. The fourth movement also introduces one of the only themes not based on the first two themes of the opening movement, drawn from a previous composition about an artist being criticised and the final moments of the symphony seem disguised.

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Quick note on grading:

The Grade (Excellent to Fair, I don't give Mint) refers to the WEAR of the record. Any other defects, like cracks, chips and scratches, are stated separately

When I listen to a record, I may also make a SUBJECTIVE judgment of the pressing quality for hiss and surface noise.
"SUPERQUIET" is basically noiseless, like a vinyl pressing.
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I am happy to hold your items and bill you at the end of the auction cycle. Pls send me a note if you would like me to hold records

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Records will be packed safely between corrugated cardboard in a sturdy box with plenty of padding for safe shipment.

Shipment is usually Media Mail, unless another service is requested. Shipping is at your risk.

If you are in the San Francisco area, I encourage pick-up in person.

US Domestic Shipping:

Here is a guideline for US Media Mail Shipping:

Prices below are for regular 78 rpm records. Up to about 5 records, I will ship Edison Discs for the same rates. Albums from Album Sets count as 1 record. Above that and for international shipments, it will be actual weight plus a small packing charge (1-3$ depending on size of shipment)

1 record: 4.50$

2 records: 5.50$

5 records: 7.50$

10 records: 9.50$

MANY MORE RECORDS: Don't worry. I safely ship 40 - 50 pounds of records double boxed in moving boxes, and even then Media Mail will probably not exceed 30$.

Please send me a message if you would like to lower your shipping rates!

International Buyers:

All'attenzione degli acquirenti italiani:

ATTENTION TO ITALIAN BUYERS:

Due to rare problems with delivery in ITALY, I will NOT GUARANTEE delivery of parcels sent by US Postal Service First Class and Priority Mail. If you prefer secure delivery, I will be happy to quote you either Registered Mail or shipment by FEDEX

I am very happy to ship records worldwide.

The US POSTAL SERVICE has increased international shipping rates in 2013.

A single record ships for around 25$ worldwide, depending on the weight.
There are some great options available for shipping multiple records at excellent rates.

Pls contact me if you plan to buy multiple records, and I will be happy to give you an estimate for best rates on USPS or Fedex. Pls let me know your country, home town and postal code for an estimate

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