“He forged a musical language of colossal emotional power” says Grove’s Dictionary. This week will be the first of a two-part series exploring the life and times of Dmitri Shostakovich. From his four-note “D-Es-C-H” signature to the musical sounds of the KGB knocking on his door, Bill will help us understand these hidden meanings in his music. Born in Tsarist Russia and living through the establishment of the USSR, his music reflects all of these political changes with emotional depth for the world to hear. Also, having his ear to the ground for music from other places, we will hear his Tahiti Trot and waltzes.
Shostakovich, Dmitri, Part I
Playlist
Episode 1
Dmitri Shostakovich: Five Preludes for piano (excerpts)
Ashkenazy, piano
Piano Works
London B0001846-02; 2:09, 2:09
Dmitri Shostakovich: Three Fantastic Dances, Op. 5
Shostakovich, piano
Piano Concertos Fantastic Dances
EMI 62648; 3:21
Dmitri Shostakovich: Trio No.1 for Piano and Strings, Op. 8, I
Laredo, violin; Robinson, violoncello; Kalichstein, piano
The Complete Trios & Sonatas
Koch KIC 7720; 11:53, :30
Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No.1 in f minor, Op. 10
Royal Philharmonic/Ashkenazy
Symphonies 1 & 6
London 425609; 12:40, 19:20
Episode 2
Dmitri Shostakovich: Aphorisms for Piano, Op. 13 (excerpts)
Ashkenazy, piano
Piano Works
London B0001846-02; 6:55
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4, I (excerpt)
CSO/Solti
Symphony No. 4
London 414192; :38
Dmitri Shostakovich: Suite from The Bolt, Op. 27a (excerpts)
Philadelphia Orch/Chailly
The Dance Album
London 452497; 17:23
Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 2 in B-flat Major, “To October”, Op. 14
LSO/ Rostropovich
Complete Symphonies
Teldec 17046; 18:53, :27
Dmitri Shostakovich: Tahiti Trot
Royal Concertgebouw/Chailly
The Jazz Album
London 433702; 3:29
Episode 3
Dmitri Shostakovich: Suite from The Golden Age, Op. 22a
Prague Symphony/M. Shostakovich
The Golden Age
Supraphon 3278-2; 16:46
Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony, No. 3 in E-flat Major, “First of May”, Op. 20 (excerpts)
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra/Jansons
The English Songbook
EMI 56830; 6:27, 8:16
Dmitri Shostakovich: Suite from The Nose, Op. 15a (excerpts)
Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra of the Moscow Chamber Opera/Rozhdestvensky
The Nose / The Gamblers
Melodiya 60319; 17:06
Episode 4
Dmitri Shostakovich: Waltz from Jazz Suite No. 1 (excerpt)
Royal Concertgebouw/Chailly
The Jazz Album
London 433702; 1:34, 2:35
Sergey Prokofiev: Visions Fugitives for Piano, I, IV & XIII
Mustonen, piano
Visions Fugitives Op. 22
London 444803; 2:59
Dmitri Shostakovich: 24 Preludes for Piano,Op. 34, II, XI & XVII
Scherbakov, piano
Piano Sonata No. 1 / 24 Preludes, Op. 34
Naxos 8.555781; 3:51
Dmitri Shostakovich: 24 Preludes, arr. for Piano and Violin, XV, X, & XXIV
Kogan, violin; Shostakovich, piano
Shostakovich Plays
Electra 2067; 3:51
Dmitri Shostakovich: Concerto No. 1 in c minor for Piano, Trumpet and Orchestra, Op. 35
LA Phil/Salonen; Bronfman, piano; Stevens, trumpet
Yefim Bronfman Shostakovich
Sony 60677; 22:06
Dmitri Shostakovich: Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District (excerpt)
Bastille Opera Chorus and Orchestra/Chung
Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District
London 677002; 11:11
Episode 5
Dmitri Shostakovich: Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk (excerpts)
Bastille Opera Chorus and Orchestra/Chung
Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District
London 677002; 6:03, 5:42, 1:23
Dmitri Shostakovich: Arrival of the Police from Lady Macbeth
Cologne Philharmonic/Conlon
Violin Concerto No 1
Capriccio 10892; 2:36
Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4 in c minor, Op. 43 (excerpts)
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Rattle
Symphony No 4 Britten / Rattle
EMI 55476; 1:40, 3:16, 2:14, 14:30
Dmitri Shostakovich: Sonata for Violoncello and Piano, Op. 40, I
Harrell, violoncello; Ashkenazy, piano
Piano Music, Chamber Works
London 421174; 11:13