@ashburnhouse while i dislike the fact it's consistently dark sounding, I do like Shostakovich's music. I just want to be clear on that point. His 10th symphony and 8th string quartet and violin concerto no.1 are absolutely amazing works.
At 5:37, Kurt Sanderling speaks SO vividly of the terror under which Shostakovich lived. Later, at 6:50, Galina, S's daughter, speaks chillingly about home life. It's all in the music and we have a greater understanding of that by knowing these things. Thanks so much for posting this.
@nelyud I was just thinking what to write here about that look to Stalin's photo then I read what you put and it's perfect. I'm not sure that I want Stalin to be forgotten - he should serve as a warning from history - but Shostakovich's stature will continue to grow. He really was, in my view, the greatest of all 20th Century composers. Thank you.
everything by Shostakovich is gloomy and depressing, and suspenseful, and tragic and frightening. I kind of hate it because it's so dark.
dalecampbl6 3 months ago
@dalecampbl6 I love it, because it's interesting and challenging.
ashburnhouse 3 weeks ago
@ashburnhouse while i dislike the fact it's consistently dark sounding, I do like Shostakovich's music. I just want to be clear on that point. His 10th symphony and 8th string quartet and violin concerto no.1 are absolutely amazing works.
dalecampbl6 3 weeks ago
At 5:37, Kurt Sanderling speaks SO vividly of the terror under which Shostakovich lived. Later, at 6:50, Galina, S's daughter, speaks chillingly about home life. It's all in the music and we have a greater understanding of that by knowing these things. Thanks so much for posting this.
ComposerInUK 1 year ago
I'm so glad to have run into these videos...
1:03 - 1:16 This very footage of the composer is the most priceless of all, I think.
Just look how Shostakovich passes by Stalin's portrait, throws a short but meaningful glance at it and goes on with a slight smile on his face.
O the profound allegory of the pitiful vanity of politics and the immortality of the Artist!
I would not be surprised if Stalin were forgotten in a century, but Shostakovich's works only admired more and more.
nelyud 1 year ago 2
@nelyud I was just thinking what to write here about that look to Stalin's photo then I read what you put and it's perfect. I'm not sure that I want Stalin to be forgotten - he should serve as a warning from history - but Shostakovich's stature will continue to grow. He really was, in my view, the greatest of all 20th Century composers. Thank you.
ComposerInUK 1 year ago
@nelyud I agree, that footage struck me, that repressed emotion on his face.
I want to hear that 4th symphony, sounds like a masterpiece of expression and sincerity.
TheNewFlutist 4 months ago