Shostakovitch Symphony No?
Fri, Nov 25 2011, 11:06PM
For some unfathomable reason I have never explored the symphonies of Shostakovitch (except, obviously, 5 which I haven't played in perhaps 10 years).
I love the piano and violin concertos and, except for his preludes and fugues, that's about it. Never even played his string quartets!
So which symphony and quartet should I play first?
Sat, Nov 26 2011, 12:22AM
#2
RE: Shostakovitch Symphony No?
For me (and I'm afraid not only; most of my musicians-friends and plenty others agree), Shostakovich is the greatest composer of the past century. He is not perfect, consistent or always great, but when he is good, he is beyond any comparison.
His Symphonies and String Quartets are masterworks that you have to follow one after the other in order to see his development as a musician and composer. Each one has a special character and interest and shows the great difficulties and troubles he had to get through. So, go in chronological order.
However, if financial and other limitations lead you to "first things first", then, since you know the fifth (one of my very favourites) try definitely the tenth and the fifteenth Symphonies. As for the Quartets, the eighth and the tenth (and the fifteenth, perhaps). However, if you jump from one to the other, you may never have a fair, good and clear picture of his development and you may never comprehend the complexity and the purpose of these otherwise magnificent masterworks.
Finally, his Violin, Viola and Cello Sonatas (one each, fortunately) are great works of the first order. You must give them a go. However, Shostakovich is also a lot of Fun: try the two Jazz Suites, the Ballets and the Film music; they are the entertaining but equally musical side of the Great Dmitri.
Good research and eventual listening,
Parla
Sat, Nov 26 2011, 1:14AM
#3
RE: Shostakovitch Symphony No?
For very enjoyable Shostakovich I'd start with his 1st, 6th & 9th symphonies and his film music. Don't let the first movement of the 6th fool you. It's a 20 minute Largo leading to two perky final movements.
Sat, Nov 26 2011, 9:27AM
#4
RE: Shostakovitch Symphony No?
Hi Atonal!
Apart from symphony 1 ( a youthful tour de force) and as Parla says, 5, 10 and 15, symphony 8 is a cracker.
String Quartets - I don't know them all, but 11 is quirky and in several short movements. 8 is again generally considered to be very decent.
Regards
Mark
PS Try the Piano Quintet - very melodious and moving.
Sat, Nov 26 2011, 9:49AM
#5
RE: Shostakovitch Symphony No?
Coincidentally, last night I listened to his SQ No.11, Op 122 and then his Symphony No. 10 (on the new Vasily Petrenko Royal Liverpool Phil. on Naxos). Wonderful stuff.
I was prompted to go to Shostakovich because I am deeply into Vasily Grossman's "Life and Fate" at the moment - and what an experience that is!
On the string quartets, a good few years ago now I heard one on Radio 3 and then bought the complete set of six discs on Naxos with the Eder Quartet. As I tend to dip into them more or less at random I don't know them well enough to recommend particular ones. I do like Parla's idea of listening to them chronologically though, and might do that sometime in the future.
I really like Shostakovich. A glimpse into the Russian soul perhaps.
Vic.
Sat, Nov 26 2011, 5:04PM
#6
RE: Shostakovitch Symphony No?
Just avoid symphonies 2,3,7,11,12,13 and 14. I'm sure someone will argue that there is a good one in that list but I can't find it. His String Quartets are more even and probably a greater body of work. There used to be a disc on EMI of the Borodins 2nd Melodiya recordings of Quartets 7 and 8 with the Piano Quintet with Richter. As good a place to start as any.
Sat, Nov 26 2011, 4:59PM
#7
RE: Shostakovitch Symphony No?
His Symphonies and String Quartets are masterworks that you have to follow one after the other in order to see his development as a musician and composer.
Thanks Parla sounds a logical approach. Everyone seems to think sym10 is a stunner so I might just dip into that first for a sneak preview.
PS Try the Piano Quintet - very melodious and moving.
Well Partsong thanks - didn't know he wrote one. Another piece to add to the list.
I was prompted to go to Shostakovich because I am deeply into Vasily Grossman's "Life and Fate" at the moment - and what an experience that is!
Is this the novel recently serialised on R4 wot I missed?
Thanks all again.
Sat, Nov 26 2011, 7:27PM
#8
RE: Shostakovitch Symphony No?
By the way, the Piano Quintet in g minor is a masterpiece of high order, much more than melodious and moving. So, thanks Partsong to remind us of it.
I noticed I forgot the two Piano Trios, which are great works in this genre. The second is a true masterwork at the same vein as the Piano Quintet.
Parla
Sat, Nov 26 2011, 9:07PM
#9
RE: Shostakovitch Symphony No?
I heard the Pavel Haas Quartet perform the 7th Quartet at the Wigmore recently, which I listened to for over 10 years. It's incredibly concise, under 15 mins and never loosened it's grip from begining to end. It contained exactly what it needed to. If you dig Bartok's quartets 3 & 4 it might make a good entry point?
Sun, Nov 27 2011, 9:18AM
#10
RE: Shostakovitch Symphony No?
Atonal
Everybody has given you good suggestions, but here are three I would make:
15th Symphony - I rate this one of my five favourites of the Twentieth Century. It is not 'typical' Shostakovich as it is one of the more private of his symphonies, but it is a marvellous work, filled with fine music.
1st Violin Concerto - one of those searing works that can be traumatic live.
Viola Sonata - another unnerving work, raw but delicate.
Sun, Nov 27 2011, 10:25AM
#11
RE: Shostakovitch Symphony No?
Atonal
Everybody has given you good suggestions, but here are three I would make:
15th Symphony - I rate this one of my five favourites of the Twentieth Century. It is not 'typical' Shostakovich as it is one of the more private of his symphonies, but it is a marvellous work, filled with fine music.
1st Violin Concerto - one of those searing works that can be traumatic live.
Solo Viola Sonata - another unnerving work, raw but delicate.
Sun, Nov 27 2011, 2:34AM
#12
RE: Shostakovitch Symphony No?
Hi guys!
This could be an interesting thread developing here - it is time I explored his music again myself, and Atonal, you have lots of good suggestions yes I agree to start with. It is a large corpus of work, so be selective to start with.
Vic - I am glad you like the 11th quartet and 10th Symphonies.
And to all of you - I remember back in the 80's I think sitting in a cinema in Leicester Square with a massive crowd of about six people, watching the film of Testimony, based on Shosti's memoirs, and staring Ben Kingsley as the composer. Does anyone know what happened to the film, since it seemed at the time to sink without trace? Is it available on DVD?
Atonal/Vic, and everyone else, if you can track down the film, it is very worthwhile.
Regards all
Mark
Sun, Nov 27 2011, 10:10AM
#13
RE: Shostakovitch Symphony No?
I’m with naupilus on this one. His 15th is unbelievably good. It’s a work of almost inconceivable genius. If you do plan on exploring Shostakovich’s symphonies, don’t miss out on his 15th!
Sun, Nov 27 2011, 11:14AM
#14
RE: Shostakovitch Symphony No? RE: Shostakovitch Symphony No?
Just avoid symphonies 2,3,7,11,12,13 and 14. I'm sure someone will argue that there is a good one in that list but I can't find it.
I quite like all the symphones but I suppose that 2, 3 and 12 are the ones that many experts regularly criticise as being empty rubbish. I suppose these are then followed by 11 and 7 (despite the latter being put forward as one of the 5 most important symphonies in history by Mark Elder).
But what's the objection to 14? I've never seen anything but praise for this. I think even Leonard Bernstein said something to the effect it was the one exception in Shostakovich's late descent into mediocrity.
Ted
Sun, Nov 27 2011, 1:29PM
#15
RE: Shostakovitch Symphony No? RE: Shostakovitch Symphony No?
While I have not heard or read Elder's quotes on the seventh surely it is a significant work because of its historic and sociological importance. At a time when Russia (and the world) was fighting Nazism Shostakovich produced a symphony that had a universal message of resistance. I am struggling to find another occasion when a symphony had such a large global interest at its premiere. Can anyone help me out?
Atonal, try Symphony No. 10, his most "symphonic" and structurally consistent orchestral work (in addition to being a masterpiece through and through).
As to the quartets, I'm afraid I don't know them well enough for a sound recommendation.