“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
Old marble building with many pillars and carved statues
Playlist
Episode 1
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Five Preludes for piano (excerpts)
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano
Piano Works
Lon B0001846-02
2:09
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Five Preludes for piano (excerpts)
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano
Piano Works
Lon B0001846-02
2:09
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Three Fantastic Dances, Op. 5
Shostakovich, Dmitri
Piano Concertos Fantastic Dances
EMI 62648
3:21
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Trio No.1 for Piano and Strings, Op. 8, I
Laredo, violin; Robinson, violin cello; Kalichstein, piano
The Complete Trios & Sonatas
Koch KIC 7720
11:53
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Trio No.1 for Piano and Strings, Op. 8, I
Laredo, violin; Robinson, violin cello; Kalichstein, piano
The Complete Trios & Sonatas
Koch KIC 7720
:30
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Symphony No.1 in f minor, Op. 10
Royal Philharmonic/Ashkenazy
Symphonies 1 & 6
Lon 425609
12:40
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Symphony No.1 in f minor, Op. 10
Royal Philharmonic/Ashkenazy
Symphonies 1 & 6
Lon 425609
19:20
Episode 2
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Aphorisms for Piano, Op. 13 (excerpts)
Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano
Piano Works
Lon B0001846-02
6:55
Tchaikovsky, Pyotr Ilyich: Symphony No. 4, I (excerpt)
CSO/Solti
Symphony No. 4
Lon 414192
:38
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Suite fr. The Bolt, Op. 27a (excerpts)
Philadelphia Orch/Chailly
The Dance Album
Lon 452497
17:23
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Symphony No. 2 in B-flat Major, To October, Op. 14
LSO/ Rostropovich
Complete Symphonies
Teldec 17046
18:53
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Symphony No. 2 in B-flat Major, To October, Op. 14
LSO/ Rostropovich
Complete Symphonies
Teldec 17046
:27
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Tahiti Trot
Royal Concertgebouw/Chailly
The Jazz Album
Lon 433702
3:29
Episode 3
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Suite fr. The Golden Age, Op. 22a
Prague Symphony/M.Shostakovich
The Golden Age
Supraphon 3278-2
16:46
Shostakovich, Dmitri: 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
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Symphony, No.3 in E-flat Major, First of May, Op. 20 (excerpts)
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra/Jansons
The English Songbook
EMI 56830
8:16
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Suite fr. 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
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Waltz from Jazz Suite No. 1 (excerpt)
Royal Concertgebouw/Chailly
The Jazz Album
Lon 433702
1:34
Prokofiev, Sergei: Visions Fugitives for Piano, I, IV & XIII
Olli Mustonen, piano
Visions Fugitives Op 22
Lon 444803
2:59
Shostakovich, Dmitri: 24 Preludes for Piano,Op. 34, II, XI & XVII
Konstantin Scherbakov, piano
Piano Sonata No. 1 / 24 Preludes, Op.34
Naxos 8.555781
3:46
Shostakovich, Dmitri: 24 Preludes, arr. for Piano and Violin, XV, X, & XXIV
Leonid Kogan, violin; Dmitri Shostakovich, piano
Shostakovich Plays
Eclectra 2067
3:51
Shostakovich, Dmitri: 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
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Lady MacBeth of the Mtsensk District (excerpt)
Bastille Opera Chorus and Orchestra/Chung
Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District
London 677002
11:11
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Waltz from Jazz Suite No. 1 (excerpt)
Royal Concertgebouw/Chailly
The Jazz Album
Lon 433702
2:35
Episode 5
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk (excerpts)
Bastille Opera Chorus and Orchestra/Chung
Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District
London 677002
6:03
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk (excerpts)
Bastille Opera Chorus and Orchestra/Chung
Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District
London 677002
5:42
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Arrival of the Police fr. Lady Macbeth
Cologne Philharmonic/Conlon
Violin Concerto No 1
Capriccio 10892
2:36
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk (excerpts)
Bastille Opera Chorus and Orchestra/Chung
Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District
London 677002
1:23
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Symphony No.4 in c minor, Op. 43 (excerpts)
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Rattle
Symphony No 4 Britten / Rattle
EMI 55476
1:40
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Symphony No.4 in c minor, Op. 43 (excerpts)
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Rattle
Symphony No 4 Britten / Rattle
EMI 55476
3:16
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Symphony No.4 in c minor, Op. 43 (excerpts)
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Rattle
Symphony No 4 Britten / Rattle
EMI 55476
2:14
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Symphony No.4 in c minor, Op. 43 (excerpts)
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra/Rattle
Symphony No 4 Britten / Rattle
EMI 55476
14:30
Shostakovich, Dmitri: Sonata for Violoncello and Piano, Op. 40, I
Lynn Harrell, violin cello; Vladimir Ashkenazy, piano
Piano Music, Chamber Works
London 421174
11:13