Shostakovich
 

Shostakovich: a Russian, soviet-era composer who wrote one of my favorite pieces.

For me, Piano Concerto #1 in C minor is the best. I like the stark contrast between the very haunting/sad parts and the sections which are joyous or carefree.

Anyone else like Shostakovich (or perhaps a different Russian composer..?) ?

As an aside, I find this quote from him (as he was nearing the end of his life) interesting:

"Target achieved so far: 75% (right leg broken, left leg broken, right hand defective). All I need to do now is wreck the left hand and then 100% of my extremities will be out of order."

Symphony No. 5, Op. 47

I like the second movement, but the whole piece is great.

I like the quote...

Also a fan of symphony number 5, but think one of my favourites of his has to be the Second Waltz.

saw something of his performed by a seemingly unusually large orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl. quite enjoyed it to my surprise. (free tix, pleasant night in the high seats, don't have to expect much from the entertainment) ... the orchestra was either too big and powerful for the sound system and there were phasing issues, or else Shostakovich composed in stereo ... either way I liked the results

I'm in love with Symphony 8, 3rd movement, so eerie and disconcerting

I just bought a copy of his 5th symphony, really interesting stuff.

Piano trio in E min is awesome!!

I also like his Jazz Suite. Here's my favourite movement - Jazz Suite No. 2: VI. Waltz II. This is the piece featured at the beginning of the movie Eyes Wide Shut.

Agreed... I love this symphony, especially the emotion and intensity in the first movement. Though I must say that I've always viewed the fourth movement as a bit too... triumphant, I guess. However, I've read somewhere that Shostakovich may have been mocking Stalin's expectations..

Either way, IMO his best is String Quartet No. 8. Unparalleled in despair but also in beauty.. a piece of music that I'm truly amazed by every time I listen to it.

As great as so many "Shosty" symphonies are (5, 7, 8, and so on) there is quite simply nothing to compare with his daring and monumental Symphony No.4.

He withdrew it on the eve of its planned premiere (1936), and shrewdly so, as it was so wild and anti-Soviet he may have ended up in the Siberian labour camps, having already been severely criticized in Pravda for a recent opera. It waited a quarter of a century for its first performance, which happened in late 1961. The climax of the symphony is quite simply devastating.

Several performances on YouTube. folks.

I'm so stoked to see this thread on here! I have no idea what it was that I heard, but I was taken to a concert where they played a lot of Shostakovich and was totally bowled over. I have never been so thrilled by classical music in my life. Now if only I had written down what it was they played. I'll just have to keep listening to everything I can get my hands on!

The 15 string quartets are all incredible.

I like his cello concerto.

^
Yes, cello concerto is great.

10th symphony is his best IMO, though as someone said on the previous page, his 4th was his most daring.

First movement of his 4th string quartet is amazing, especially the opening few minutes.

This version is a wee bit slow to my preferences, but great performance otherwise.

dat E flat minor Fugue

The Nose is Shostakovich's greatest work, hilarious opera





Otherwise, I'll take Symphony no 4, The Execution of Stepan Razin and String Quartet no 9, and leave Shosty as he is. His usual work doesn't interest me at all

Not even symphony No. 5? damn. cold

the first concerto is great, so is the second (especially the heart wrenching second movement). The prelude and fugues for solo piano are really fascinating, the e minor trio too, and of course the symphonies. He was a a tragic man, with a life shrouded in darkness. But that helped him create his masterful, albeit painful, art.