FYI: Barshai Shostakovich 13th available individually now

Speaking as someone who was not terribly impressed by the Barshai box of Shostakovich symphonies (which I found surprisingly tame), with one exception, I was delighted to see that Regis has released his 13th symphony on a single budget CD. I thought he really nailed this work, better than most I have heard before (perhaps a half dozen or so) and perhaps the best that is in good sound. I'm not sure why Regis is picking these up when the original Brilliant Classics are still out there, but I am glad they did!

Shostakovich symphonies (which I found surprisingly tame), with one exception, I was delighted to see that Regis has released his 13th symphony on a single budget CD. I thought he really nailed this work, better than most I have heard before (perhaps a half dozen or so) and perhaps the best that is in good sound. I'm not sure why Regis is picking these up when the original Brilliant Classics are still out there, but I am glad they did!

Agree about Barshai's Shosty 13th - the finale bounces and swings in a lusciously ironic manner (for such a serious work), but the whole box is so cheap, I wouldn't have thought it costs not much more than for a single CD. The 7th is another standout for me also (noting that good things have been said about LB's CSO 7th also), and I still haven't listened to the Barshai DSCH 14th yet (not a work I am particularly enamoured of).

Regards,

# http://www.users.bigpond.com/hallraylily/index.html See You Tamara (Ozzy Osbourne)

Ray, Taree, NSW

Regis runs around the same price as Naxos. Since this was literally the only performance in the box that stood out for me, the savings in space is also a consideration.

That reminds me: I see the critic who reviewed the box set on Classics Today said it's only $22. Was that when it was released or is that still the case? I ask this because the usual places I look have it for $55. This is more than double!

David Whitbeck

I bought the box at Berkshire and I believe that was the price. I wound up selling it on ebay for more than I paid for it.

It's a little bit cheaper on eBay these days; my copy cost about $35, including shipping.

> That reminds me: I see the critic who reviewed the box set on > Classics Today said it's only $22. Was that when it was released or > is that still the case? I ask this because the usual places I look > have it for $55. This is more than double! It's a little bit cheaper on eBay these days; my copy cost about $35, including shipping.

The 11 CD set is still listed at Zweitausendeins at 20.99 Euros, which is even cheaper. The problem is the shipping of course, and the best thing to do is wait until you order from Zwei (assuming one does), and include the Shosty box. Over 2kg is a flat 29 Euro shipping charge, and is the real pain in ordering from overseas. Within Europe the rates are considerably cheaper of course.

Regards,

# http://www.users.bigpond.com/hallraylily/index.html See You Tamara (Ozzy Osbourne)

Ray, Taree, NSW