Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich (1906 - 1975) was a Soviet composer and pianist who became internationally known after the premiere of his First Symphony in 1926 and thereafter was regarded as a major composer. Shostakovich achieved early fame in the Soviet Union, but had a complex relationship with its government. His 1934 opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk was initially a success but later condemned by the Soviet government, putting his career at risk.
Shostakovich’s reputation has continued to grow after his death. Scholarly interest has increased significantly since the late 20th century, including considerable debate about the relationship between his music and his attitudes toward the Soviet government.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dmitri-Shostakovich
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dmitri_Shostakovich
Dmitri Shostakovich - The Second Waltz
Nicola Benedetti: Shostakovich’s Romance The Gadfly Suite, Live in The Greene Space
Waltz no.6
Dmitri Shostakovich - Piano Concerto No. 2 - II. Andante
2 comments:
Composers generally put their very best efforts into the slow movement of a piano concerto, starting with Mozart. This one is right up there: as good as Rachmaninov and Grieg, IMHO, edging out Tchaikovsky / Brahms / Beethoven (in that respect. I wouldn't choose to spend time with the 1st & 3rd movements).
While we are in 'opinionated didactic' mode: if anyone is entranced by the Shostakovich PC2/II and wants to know where more of that exquisitely wistful vibe can be found by the yard, they might like to try the very lengthy symphonic works of Bruckner - so long and requiring such a big orchestra, they are rarely played (certainly not on Classic FM). Grieg and Mahler could do it, and of course Barber: but not on the Bruckner scale, which can leave you exhausted and quite intoxicated.
(Wagner is something different - pure sorcery.)
PS, here's Mr S playing it himself. Rather brisk , I feel - he's not going for the heartstrings quite so much as others do, is he? More Chopin than Rachmaninov
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCTEx3w2_jU&t=406s
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