Read on Twitter
I will now be reviewing all of Shostakovich's symphonies for no one's enjoyment but my own.
New
thread here:
New
thread here:
Shostakovich Symphony 1
At the age of 19 Shostakovich made sure the people knew he wasn't playing games.
Already on his King shit he wrote an Allegro molto that could instill fear into the hearts of men.
See how the brass section had to duck at 31:05
At the age of 19 Shostakovich made sure the people knew he wasn't playing games.
Already on his King shit he wrote an Allegro molto that could instill fear into the hearts of men.
See how the brass section had to duck at 31:05
an absolute madness
He said timapni solo to let. them. know.
This is beautiful madness and it is why we stan, 10/10.
He said timapni solo to let. them. know.
This is beautiful madness and it is why we stan, 10/10.
Shostakovich Symphony 2
Chaos + string instruments, CHORAL singing
Certainly a unique symphony, makes a lil more sense when you read into its history
(original commission to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the October Revolution)
Nevertheless, has
Chaos + string instruments, CHORAL singing
Certainly a unique symphony, makes a lil more sense when you read into its history
(original commission to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the October Revolution)
Nevertheless, has
that characteristic Shostakovich sound I love.
I really enjoy that first violin solo at 7:00, an 8/10.
I really enjoy that first violin solo at 7:00, an 8/10.
Shostakovich Symphony 3
This piece made me genuinely stressed out for the musicians. Shostakovich always sounds complex but this is next level.
Stunning, living for crescendo from 21:40
Liked this symphony's choral part much better too, 9/10
This piece made me genuinely stressed out for the musicians. Shostakovich always sounds complex but this is next level.
Stunning, living for crescendo from 21:40
Liked this symphony's choral part much better too, 9/10
Shostakovich Symphony 4
That classic agitation, suspense and drama.
Plus more timpani drama, I love it. 56:00
Just listening to Shostakovich feels like a victory. The largo-allegro is everything.
The pause at 1:02 let. us. know. Valery!
A 10/10.
That classic agitation, suspense and drama.
Plus more timpani drama, I love it. 56:00
Just listening to Shostakovich feels like a victory. The largo-allegro is everything.
The pause at 1:02 let. us. know. Valery!
A 10/10.
Shostakovich Symphony 5
This is the Proms version, so the intro gives some of the historical context.
...Shostakovich was a genius.
The way in which he used music to express his dissent, makes it all the more powerful.
This is the Proms version, so the intro gives some of the historical context.
...Shostakovich was a genius.
The way in which he used music to express his dissent, makes it all the more powerful.
Obviously, it is his sound, but parts of this are v. similar to the cello concerto (16:40+) (35:00) and for that I love it even more.
Wow, that build up from 27:00 onwards is something.
31:00+ in fact, the climax of the entire third movement, stunning.
Wow, that build up from 27:00 onwards is something.
31:00+ in fact, the climax of the entire third movement, stunning.
The final movement has a strange manic quality culminating in that spectacular finish. Goosebumps.
Such a compelling piece of music and an obvious 10/10.
Such a compelling piece of music and an obvious 10/10.
Shostakovich Symphony 6
Please understand that Shostakovich just has THAT energy, your favourite composer could never and I'm so sorry to you for that x
I really LOVE this third movement, as a whole this piece is up there with the fifth symphony for me
Please understand that Shostakovich just has THAT energy, your favourite composer could never and I'm so sorry to you for that x
I really LOVE this third movement, as a whole this piece is up there with the fifth symphony for me
I think I said before that listening to Shostakovich feels like a victory - can we appreciate that build up from 23:00 to 24:45 because that's what I'm talking about
I have a feeling the more I listen the closer the competition with 5 will be, but for now close second at 9.5/10
I have a feeling the more I listen the closer the competition with 5 will be, but for now close second at 9.5/10
Right, we're starting this one off by saying fuck Valery Gergiev found out that he is in fact a terrible person.
I'll continue with Shostakovich performances sans Valery.
Shostakovich Symphony 7
I teared, up at the end, partly because I miss live music
I'll continue with Shostakovich performances sans Valery.
Shostakovich Symphony 7
I teared, up at the end, partly because I miss live music
and partly because Shostakovich is the greatest and no one else comes close.
I am in love with the clarinet solo at 31:00.
51:00 is like- so you expect me not to be head banging in the concert hall- fine ok.
Truly one of the finest pieces of music I’ve heard - the final
I am in love with the clarinet solo at 31:00.
51:00 is like- so you expect me not to be head banging in the concert hall- fine ok.
Truly one of the finest pieces of music I’ve heard - the final
movement, the allegro is crazy, overwhelmingly beautiful.
I don't know how to describe it but there is an almost unbearable quality to the beauty in Shostakovich's music - like at 1hr:14 it's as if your heart can barely take it and then finally at 1hr: 15:12 you get that final
I don't know how to describe it but there is an almost unbearable quality to the beauty in Shostakovich's music - like at 1hr:14 it's as if your heart can barely take it and then finally at 1hr: 15:12 you get that final
return to the previous themes in the music and it's just so satisfying.
10/10.
10/10.
Shostakovich Symphony 8
Are you mad? ARE YOU MAD? listen it's all about 36:00, the build up, 36:30 tensions rise, 37:00 we reach our ultimate peril and in iconic Shostakovich fashion the tension is relieved by a grand crescendo
Are you mad? ARE YOU MAD? listen it's all about 36:00, the build up, 36:30 tensions rise, 37:00 we reach our ultimate peril and in iconic Shostakovich fashion the tension is relieved by a grand crescendo
, accompanied by the crash of cymbals. He invented drama, he invented tragedy.
The conductor is out here doing full hadouken moves at 37:40.
Oh also at around 26:20 it was very reminiscent of Britten with that flute, love it
The conductor is out here doing full hadouken moves at 37:40.
Oh also at around 26:20 it was very reminiscent of Britten with that flute, love it
In conclusion, this is why we stan - the piece as a whole is a 8/10 for me.
Correction: 7.5
Shostakovich Symphony 9
Light? Playful?
NoT My CoMpoSeR!
This almost sounds like Shostakovich imitating himself, I admit I did a little research into why it had such parodic undertones and as is the common thread in his work
Light? Playful?
NoT My CoMpoSeR!
This almost sounds like Shostakovich imitating himself, I admit I did a little research into why it had such parodic undertones and as is the common thread in his work
there was the element of protest against the Soviet Union which resulted in the piece eventually being banned - classic.
Delightful, airy yet retains Shostakovich's quintessential sound
the clarinet at 22:00, the final cresendo - and can I just say? Bernstein is a legend.
Delightful, airy yet retains Shostakovich's quintessential sound
the clarinet at 22:00, the final cresendo - and can I just say? Bernstein is a legend.
Perhaps, I prefer the full force drama, a 7.5/10 pour moi
Shostakovich Symphony 10
The energy, he does not fail. He will deliver.
The second movement? invigorating! Shostakovich makes chaos and fear compelling in his own unique way.
There is narrative! There is a story and I want to know more. I'm sorry but I
The energy, he does not fail. He will deliver.
The second movement? invigorating! Shostakovich makes chaos and fear compelling in his own unique way.
There is narrative! There is a story and I want to know more. I'm sorry but I
don't necessarily experience that with other composers music.
Each movement is real emotion and it's brilliant.
Essentially, I am the guy at the end who shouts out bravo, I give this 8/10.
Each movement is real emotion and it's brilliant.
Essentially, I am the guy at the end who shouts out bravo, I give this 8/10.
Shostakovich Symphony 11
Your favourite composers could never. I've said it before but sincerely. How does it feel? He could never be Dmitri 'The King' Shostakovich.
I am in awe.
29:00 pure heartbreak, HEART WRENCHING
35:00 energy and iconicism
Your favourite composers could never. I've said it before but sincerely. How does it feel? He could never be Dmitri 'The King' Shostakovich.
I am in awe.
29:00 pure heartbreak, HEART WRENCHING
35:00 energy and iconicism
What can I say about brilliance? The piano interlude at 37:15 was reminiscent of the cello concerto which is one of my all time favourite piece of music.
I love this conductor, THE PASSION, THE FLAIR
The swell of the music from 47:20? Perfection.
I love this conductor, THE PASSION, THE FLAIR
The swell of the music from 47:20? Perfection.
I was not ready for the heights that were reached at 48:00
Whole new levels of drama, peril, struggle, triumph, anguish
The incessant beat of the horns at 49:00
The absolute hype of 58:00
And, I'm sorry what was the instrument at 1hr:05?? classical steel pans??
Whole new levels of drama, peril, struggle, triumph, anguish
The incessant beat of the horns at 49:00
The absolute hype of 58:00
And, I'm sorry what was the instrument at 1hr:05?? classical steel pans??
This was an ultimate 10/10, It has raised the game IT HAS CHANGED THE GRADING CURVE.
Shostakovich Symphony 12
Ooh this one was interesting, many moments I loved but at times it felt almost understated
The beautiful reoccurring crescendo kept bringing me back to my love of Shostakovich - especially the dramatic timpani action at 28:30
Ooh this one was interesting, many moments I loved but at times it felt almost understated
The beautiful reoccurring crescendo kept bringing me back to my love of Shostakovich - especially the dramatic timpani action at 28:30
Loved the hypnotic quality of the strings-
And may we talk about the enthusiasm of this conductor? Yes. The energy Shostakovich deserves. His eyebrow movements killed me haha
Brilliant ending, with that quintessential flair
And may we talk about the enthusiasm of this conductor? Yes. The energy Shostakovich deserves. His eyebrow movements killed me haha
Brilliant ending, with that quintessential flair
However, I think this will be one I appreciate more on further listens.
7.5/10
7.5/10
