Shostakovich

Shostakovich
Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich (Russian:  Дми́трий Дми́триевич Шостако́вич; 25 September [O.S. 12 September] 1906 – 9 August 1975) was a Russian pianist and composer of the Soviet period. He is regarded as one of the major composers of the 20th century.

Shostakovich achieved fame in the Soviet Union under the patronage of Soviet chief of staff Mikhail Tukhachevsky, but later had a complex and difficult relationship with the government. Nevertheless, he received accolades and state awards and served in the Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR (1947–1962) and the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union (from 1962 until his death).

A polystylist, Shostakovich developed a hybrid voice, combining a variety of different musical techniques into his works. His music is characterized by sharp contrasts, elements of the grotesque, and ambivalent tonality; the composer was also heavily influenced by the neo-classical style pioneered by Igor Stravinsky, and (especially in his symphonies) by the late Romanticism associated with Gustav Mahler.

Shostakovich's orchestral works include 15 symphonies and six concerti. His chamber output includes 15 string quartets, a piano quintet, two piano trios, and two pieces for string octet. His solo piano works include two sonatas, an early set of preludes, and a later set of 24 preludes and fugues. Other works include three operas, several song cycles, ballets, and a substantial quantity of film music; especially well known is The Second Waltz, Op. 99, music to the film The First Echelon (1955–1956), as well as the suites of music composed for The Gadfly.
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Shostakovich

Shostakovich

Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich (Russian:  Дми́трий Дми́триевич Шостако́вич; 25 September [O.S. 12 September] 1906 – 9 August 1975) was a Russian pianist and composer of the Soviet period. He is regarded as one of the major composers of the 20th century.

Shostakovich achieved fame in the Soviet Union under the patronage of Soviet chief of staff Mikhail Tukhachevsky, but later had a complex and difficult relationship with the government...
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13 albums
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MAHLER Symphony No. 9
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 5

Studio recordings, 1952
Total duration: 2hr 11:52

Vienna Symphony Orchestra
conducted by Jascha Horenstein

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TCHAIKOVSKY Piano Concerto No. 1

SHOSTAKOVICH Cello Concerto No. 1
Studio and live recordings · 1958 & 1960

Total duration: 62:35

Kirill Kondrashin, conductor
Van Cliburn,
piano
Mstislav Rostropovich,
cello
RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

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BERNSTEIN Symphony No. 2, 'The Age of Anxiety'
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 9
HANSON Serenade for Flute, Harp & Strings

Live broadcast recordings, 1946/49
Total duration: 69:57

Leonard Bernstein, piano
Boston Symphony Orchestra
conducted by Serge Koussevitzky

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SHOSTAKOVICH  Symphony No. 9
SCRIABIN  Piano Concerto

DVORÁK  Symphonic Variations

    Live stereo concert recording, 1962
    Total duration: 74:47

    Paul Badura-Skoda, piano
    Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra

    Charles Mackerras
    , conductor


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    TCHAIKOVSKY Francesca da Rimini*
    SHOSTAKOVICH  Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk - 2 Arias

    MUSSORGSKY  Six Songs

    STRAVINSKY  The Rite of Spring

    Live stereo concert recording, 1962
    *Download only - not on CD
    Total duration: 91:42 (download); 67:42 (CD)

    Galina Vishnevskaya, soprano
    London Symphony Orchestra

    Igor Markevitch
    , conductor


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    ALBÉNIZ España
    BEETHOVEN Violin Sonata No. 8
    SHOSTAKOVICH Concerto for Piano, Trumpet and Strings
    Recorded in 1941 and 1953
    Total duration: 39:29

    Noel Mewton-Wood, piano
    Ida Haendel,
    violin
    Concert Hall Society Symphony Orchestra
    conducted by Walter Goehr