Shostakovich Sonata No. 2 Mov 3 Finale. Valentina Lisitsa

...continues from 1st and 2nd movement video.
The last movement, a finale. Those words have more meaning here than in many other sonatas, with Chopin B Flat minor a n only possible similarity.
This movement is a set of variations , written on a very simple, folk-song like theme. This opening theme is for one hand only - an ultimate expression of loneliness and desolation in music. A set of variations follows the theme, some -maniacally busy and high-strung , some -- solemn and grave. Few last ones are worth our particular attention to listen to . Just like in other movements -- everything is in minor key and ANY sign of major( usually a symbol of something nicer, happier , gentler in music ) pierces the music like a ray of a bloodied sunrise on an eve of a storm. We get more and more "major" - @ 5':20" when octaves in left hand are decidedly major, then @ 6':00".... Then, @ 7:00" we enter the final agony in the drama of life. This variation is hauntingly similar to "dotted" variation from Schumann's Symphonic Etudes. This repeated dotted rhythm is like a heartbeat , heavy , boomy...halting, weakening.
This variation is probably most powerful and graphic depiction of death , of actual dying and death . Eventually everything transforms into vibrant, shining major key ( @ 10':19") and comes to a complete, final, stop . Death comes in scillinating major here -- but it doesn't sound nearly as a promise of paradise awaiting, rather a complete resignation and making peace with everybody and everything, complete cessation of life passion and struggle. The only thing left for onlookers is a brief prayer ( @ 10':30") and one final act of kindness to what was once a leaving , breathing human -- closing one's eyes ( a truly chilling moment at 10':57"). Then there is a gaping silence .... And , life returns back to its daily, almost banal pace -- for everybody else of course , while we bury our dead ( 12':30").
The end.

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[TELarson58]

Many say that Mahler's symphonies are the deepest expression of human suffering, despair, feelings, and philosophical thought - humbug! Shostakovich lived through far worse and his music is far more expressive of the horrors millions of people had to live through. Valentina brings to the music of Shostakovich a soul, intellect, talent and passion obviously in tune with Shostakovich.

[ValentinaLisitsa]

@TELarson58 Shostakovich has a lot in common with Mahler . For me- he is a cross between Mahler and Mussorgsky ( not "popular" Mussorgsky of Pictures , but late songs and Khovanchina).Mahler expressed his own private torments ( and we know that things that go on in ones' soul can be jsut as painful and catastrophic as anyting external ) Shsotakovich expressed the suffering of humanity . That's why he could never run away or defect though he had opportunities.

[brunopiccinin]

I should be studying for a exam tomorrow, but I don't dare to close youtube page. I'm hypnotized by your performance. LOL.

[ValentinaLisitsa]

@brunopiccinin They say music helps with studies and exams. Do let us all know how it went ? Wishing you best of luck :-)

[ValentinaLisitsa]

@brunopiccinin They say music helps with studies and exams. Do let us all know how it went ? Wishing you best of luck :-)

[Gerald555able]

Valentina, your description of this sonata is as revealing as your playing! Having a Russian wife from St Petersburg, I am well aware of the drama this city lived (and died) through in WWII. 30 million dead in the Great Patriotic War!

This sonata reminds me of the beginning of a trio by the same Shostakovitch that begins with the highest notes on the cello. He was the composer of the XXth century, that of death and human suffering.

[ValentinaLisitsa]

@Gerald555able Thank you for the comment , really appreciate it . That's right , people who complain about his "modern" language don't give a thought of how can one write of witnessed death and destruction by compsing pretty tunes. Neither Classical nor Romantic composers lived through what happened in XX century.  Debussy came from I WW war a changed man. he could never write Clair de Lune again. Messian wrote his End of Times being a camp survivor...

[saturne46]

C'est magnifique. Merci mille fois …

[4212abraham]

Incredible ... I am great his fan, for my music always it has been something special and you are like an idol for my ... it is fascinating to see her to touch with so much mastery and feeling that can manage to stop you without breath ... only to think that it can manage to read this ... it does so that I have started touching the piano and to see since it touches inspires me ... I hope that I understand myself because always I do a mess to myself with the translator :P regards from españa :)

[4212abraham]

Incredible ... I am great his fan, for my music always it has been something special and you are like an idol for my ... it is fascinating to see her to touch with so much mastery and feeling that can manage to stop you without breath ... only to think that it can manage to read this ... it does so that I have started touching the piano and to see since it touches inspires me ... I hope that I understand myself because always I do a mess to myself with the translator :P regards from españa :)

[belegSJ]

Next: Shostakovich piano sonata No.1 perhaps? :-)

[KANVS01]

Thank you.

[honron21]

@ValentinaLisitsa I don't agree with you, Shostakovich has nothing in common with Mahler, that is a nonsense phrase from the "intelectuals" that don't know anything about music but they feel confident saying that because Shostakovich used to study the music of Mahler. Between, thanks for playing Shostakovich and I think you have improved greatly during the last years as pianist.

[brunopace]

Wow!

[herol64700]

MVT 3 is my favorite !! not a musician, but get the sense that this is a very interesting piece from a theoretical standpoint. thanks for uploading this totally different music

[Buffoon1980]

The music brought me close to tears, the description pushed me over.

[arcturian627]

I remember thinking this piece was awful when I first heard it many years ago... It sounded like a meaningless chaos of notes... Today it sounds incredible. what was I thinking? I suppose I was just young.

Great description btw, I enjoyed reading it. :D