The first performance was given on october 30, 1957, in. The teenage shostakovich made his international reputation with his first symphony, written while he was still a student between 1923 and 1925. This symphony is an example of a program symphony, because the music is supposed to evoke extramusical ideas. Shostakovichs tenth symphony, written in the aftermath of the death of stalin is widely regarded as his greatest orchestral work, and a masterpiece of the twentieth century. The subtitle of the symphony refers to the events of the russian revolution of 1905. Leopold stokowski symphony no 11 shostakovich youtube. The mystique of this route, combining scenes of leningrads sunless midwinter suffering with a. It was a huge collection and included shostakovich symphonies 2, 9, 12, golden age ballet suite, and festival overture. However, the music actually reflects the soviet invasion of hungary, as the symphony was composed in the aftermath of. The chicago symphony orchestras first subscription concert performances of shostakovichs eleventh symphony were given at orchestra hall on january 19 and. Phil kline is a composer who makes music in many genres and contexts, from experimental electronics and sound installations to songs, choral, theater, chamber and orchestral music. Oct 12, 20 symphony no 11 in g minor, op 103 the year 1905 1 adagio the palace square 2 allegro the 9th of january 3 adagio eternal memory 4 allegro non troppo tocsin mariinsky theatre orchestra. Mariinsky shostakovichs second and eleventh symphonies are both inspired by russian revolutions. Notes for stalin is a new symphonic play by writer and director didi balle, the baltimore symphony orchestras very own playwrightinresidence.
The brahms first and the prokofiev classical symphony are exceptions, not least because in the former instance the composer completed the work when he was 42, and in the latter because the pastiche nature of the piece reflected prokofievs youthful inclination toward surprises and stimulated his. This edition is based on the composers autograph as well as the 1972 publication of sovetsky kompozitor publishers. With three leading tones, in addition to the fifth descent in the bass, the g11. In shostakovichs case that burden was particularly hard to bear. Shostakovich op 110 theodore front musical literature. Reviewed in the united states on may 4, 2016 one would be hardpressed to find a nation that was so adverse to artistic freedom as russia under the yoke of totalitarians like lenin, stalin, khrushchev, and others and yet at the same also produced some of the greatest works of art in the 20th century. At first hearing, this symphonys four movements have an almost. Therefore traditional analysts often, mistakenly, dismiss his symphonies as impostors. Shostakovichs 11th symphony is a rather long, and very brooding, work.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Symphony no 11 in g minor the year 1905 op 103 by dmitri shostakovich 1. Most of the poems deal with the theme of death, particularly that of unjust or early death. Probably one of the strongest arguments put forth by those who support the volkov view of the composer i. Shostakovichs next misstep came with the fourth symphony, which he had been composing in his mind for some time. As sandburg suggested, it was music written with the hearts blood. Shostakovichs seventh symphony is a prisoner of its own history and the resultant cliches.
As part of its truth to power threeweek festival, the cso will perform shostakovichs symphony no. Melodic signatures in shostakovichs 10th symphony by aida huseinova. Shostakovich symphony no 11 in g minor, op 103 gergiev. It is a work for soprano, bass and a small string orchestra with percussion, consisting of eleven linked settings of poems by four authors. Our most recent subscription concert performances were given on june 11 and 12, 1999, with mstislav rostropovich conducting. Hussey, triadic posttonality and linear chromaticism. Amid hunger and cold, an unforgettable symphony premiere. Meant to portray the primordial chaos from which order emerged, instrumental voices merge in this voice polyphonic beginning. Program notes dmitri shostakovich chamber symphony for. Jul 06, 2018 boston symphony orchestra, andris nelsons shostakovich. To some, including many russians, it is a sad example of his fallingoff, a cavingin to the ideological demands of socialistrealism with its reliance on the quotation of well. Program notes dmitri shostakovich chamber symphony. Amrus, which employed only three people at the time,11 operated by taking a percentage of.
Shostakovich, symphonies, piano trio, chromaticism, soviet, neo riemannian theory. However, the music actually reflects the soviet invasion of. Shostakovich s eleventh symphony has long been one of his most controversial. The final part of one of my favourite shosty symphonies. The chicago symphony orchestras first subscription concert performances of shostakovich s eleventh symphony were given at orchestra hall on january 19 and 20, 1961, with andre cluytens conducting. A few years later, when i asked that we order a missing beethoven symphony, the librarian couldnt find a way of ordering individual parts. This symphony has made a remarkable comeback on disc. Ironically, despite its avowedly correct political credentials, this is in fact shostakovichs darkest, most despairing symphony, the only one to end in an atmosphere of unmitigated tragedy and violence. Orchestra sheet music book by dmitri shostakovich 19061975. Dmitri shostakovich chamber orchestra chamber symphony op. Shostakovichs eleventh symphony is justifiably regarded as one of his best, and the orchestral playing here is quite good, although the pacing is a bit slower than in some other versions. The premiere was a huge success and received an ovation that lasted well over half an hour. Feb 14, 2014 symphony no 11 in g minor the year 1905 op 103 by dmitri shostakovich 1. Dmitri shostakovitch is regarded as one of the major 20th century composers due to his unique composition style and historic importance as the major composer of the soviet union primarily under stalinist rule.
By contrast, his eleventh, which followed four years later frequently gets a bad press, because it is perceived to be too programmatic, repetitive and populist. These documents support shostakovichs claim to thorough mental preparation but also occasionally point to changes between any such mental formulation and the symphonies finished forms. Order from your preferred classical music cd store arkivmusic. A year into the siege of leningrad, a haggard group of musicians defiantly and improbably performed dmitri shostakovichs symphony. From once being derided as a piece of socialist realist junk, a repetitious film score desperately in need of a film, it is now rightly seen as a major statementeven if its not a conventionally structured example of symphonic form. Shostakovichs eleventh symphony, written in 1957 to mark the 40th anniversary of the october revolution, had a mixed reception. The arrangement of the quartet for string orchestra that is performed at this weeks concerts was made by the russian conductor and violist rudolf barhsai and approved by shostakovich. Digital booklet deutsche grammophon proudly continues the widely acclaimed, grammy winning shostakovich symphony cycle with music director andris nelsons and. It was not shostakovichs first attempt at the symphony, though, and he had actually performed ten minutes of the first version for his friend isaak glickman earlier that april. First performed in 1957, the 11th is one of the richest and most powerful of shostakovichs symphonies. Jun 29, 2010 it was a huge collection and included shostakovich symphonies 2, 9, 12, golden age ballet suite, and festival overture. Its first performance was on november 21, 1937, in leningrad by the leningrad philharmonic orchestra under yevgeny mravinsky. It carries the title under stalins shadow though, of course, the tenth symphony premiered just months after stalins death in 1953 was the point at which shostakovich emerged from that shadow defiantly brandishing his own musical monogram dsch like a medal of honour.
Symphony no 11 in g minor, op 103 the year 1905 1 adagio the palace square 2 allegro the 9th of january 3 adagio eternal memory 4 allegro non troppo tocsin mariinsky theatre orchestra. The best performances understand this, and it has been stunningly. After the premiere, shostakovich made some revisions to the score, and this final version was first played in moscow later in 1927 under the baton of konstantin. Lso0535 shostakovich symphony no 11 the year 1908 albums.
There are five shostakovich symphonies of his 15 that have politicalhistorical programs. While tsar nicholas ii and his ministers maintained the principle of rigid. This isnt very helpful, except that at one point, kalmus did sell some shostakovich. The work premiered informally on march 5, 1942, at a rural retreat by the volga, where the composer and many of his colleagues were seeking refuge from world war ii. The new york philharmonic is not responsible for the unauthorized use of any information. First symphonies are generally unsuccessful, or at least questionably successful as compositions. Revolution on the morning of sunday 9th january 1905, thousands of russians gathered in front of the winter palace in st petersburg. Boston symphony orchestra, andris nelsons shostakovich. Digital booklet deutsche grammophon proudly continues the widely acclaimed, grammy winning shostakovich symphony cycle with music director andris nelsons and the boston. Unfortunately, there are serious problems with the sound in this edition. Get your team aligned with all the tools you need on one secure, reliable video platform. Percussion aside, the score is remarkably restrained in its use of instrumental forces. Shostakovich symphony 11 survey djb june 2009 musicweb. Performance time is approximately twentytwo minutes.
Shostakovich s next misstep came with the fourth symphony, which he had been composing in his mind for some time. Symphony no 11 tim ashley friday 14 july 2000 the guardian. Based on the abortive little revolution of 1905, this is real widescreen, technicolor programme music. Mariinsky shostakovich s second and eleventh symphonies are both inspired by russian revolutions. Andris nelsonss first live recording as music director of the boston symphony is quite something. The azerbaijani link elmira nazirova, by aida huseinova, in azerbaijan international, vol 11.