CCXLIX. SHOSTAKOVICH, Dmitri (1906-1975)
We'll dispense with the usual political controversy -- both in regards to the reception of this massive, glorious symphony (not well received, effectively banned until 1956) and the cancelled conductor whom I choose to represent the interpretation thereof.
Should I repost my Putin pic? Sure why not ...
The Devil
**
First Movement
A little reminiscent of the Fifth (see Post CLXIX) -- even to the extent of Bar 2 where the Seconds/Violas have rests of a half, quarter, eighth, sixteen, and thirty-second before their first note!
The restless opening picks up steam with this 5/4 melancholy melody over a pulsing 1/8th-note rhythm: (0:06:43)
The tension lifts. English Horn over tremolo strings (0:19:22):
The 5/4 section repeats with English Horn and then Celli/Basses.
The movement ends (0:28:15) with muted trumpet over morendo strings.
Tritone substitution authentic cadence? [see Post CLXXXVIII) ... in any case, D-Flat Major!
The theme (unison strings) is a snaky, chromatic upward movement:
A piccolo solo provides some welcome jaunty, very typical Shostakovich bounce (0:31:05):
Third Movement
E Minor; relative minor of the dominant G ... The violas begin outlining an E Minor triad and continue with a torrent of straight quarter-notes. The other strings contribute a sforzando or two and the high winds scream (0:35:42):
And finally the pulse settles into an oom-pah backing for a trumpet solo (0:39:04):
(0:41:37) ... over a screaming half-diminished chord, the timpani pounds out a G Minor triad. The snare drum brings us -- attacca -- into the
Fourth Movement
Fifth Movement
which attaccas into the Fifth and final movement. Shostakovich begins with a halting, then laconic bassoon solo (0:52:44):
The symphony ends on an awesome pianissimo pedal-point C Major chord with the flute in its lowest register and plucked strings (1:06:55):
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