CCXLIX. SHOSTAKOVICH, Dmitri: Symphony #8 in C Minor, Op. 65

CCXLIX. SHOSTAKOVICH, Dmitri (1906-1975)

Symphony #8 in C Minor, Op. 65 (1943)
1. Adagio -- Allegro non troppo
2. Allegretto
3. Allegro non troppo
4. Largo
5. Allegretto
Mariinsky Orchestra
Valery Gergiev, cond.
(1:12:26)

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)

(0:15:52) As Shostakovich brings things up to a fevered pitch, it's worth looking at how he does it. Notice the two bars of thick, dissonant writing for the winds, followed by high trills and tremolos in the strings. The tension is unbearable!

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.

Second Movement (0:29:25)

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):