Dmitry Dmitrievich Shostakovich was born on September 25, 1906 in the city of St. Petersburg. He is still a world-famous Russian composer. In addition to writing, he also had pianist skills, participated in musical and social activities, and taught.
Proceedings
Since 1960, it was part of the CPSU. From 1957 to 1974 he held high posts in the Board of the Union of Composers of the USSR (secretary and chairman).
He was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor and People's Artist of the USSR.
He also had a huge baggage of awards: 5 Stalin Prizes, Lenin Prize, State Prizes of the USSR and the RSFSR named after Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka.
All of the above merits were given to him thanks to numerous beautiful works. It:
- symphonies (15);
- concerts (6);
- ballets (3);
- operas (3);
- music for films ("The Young Guard", "Hamlet" and 26 other compositions) and cartoons ("The Tale of the Stupid Mouse", "Dancing Dolls");
- music for performances (8);
- chamber vocal, choral and instrumental music.
9 Shostakovich Symphony
In 1943, the composer was required to work that would glorify the country and its victory in the not too distant future. Shostakovich publicly announced the creation of the work. Critics with listeners expected a grandiose result from the premiere, glorifying the achievements of the people and the state.
A brief history of creation
Work on the work began in the first post-war months, but by 1945 the writing of the first part was difficult. 9 Shostakovich promised to write a symphony in the spirit of Beethoven’s last symphonic work with a soloist, choir and orchestra.
At a meeting with students on January 16, 1945, the composer announced that his work had begun, but then he interrupted his activities for 3 whole long months. This happened due to the refusal of the composer from the original plan. Work on the exact opposite work was resumed only in the summer, or rather, on July 26.
On August 30, Shostakovich put an end to his symphonic composition. The result amazed everyone, because instead of a large-scale solemn scene, a score was born with hidden sarcasm and high spirits. Only 4 parts were saturated with the taste of tragedy.
In duration, the musical performance lasted no more than half an hour (26 minutes), which did not fit into the parameters of the large picture.
Premiere and result
The debut took place in 1945 in the city of Leningrad. The symphony was performed by the Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Evgeny Mravinsky. Despite the result different from the promised one, the work was highly appreciated by critics and nominated for the Stalin Prize.
However, not everyone was of the same opinion, and in 1946, Shostakovich’s 9th symphony was not able to win. Authorities were disappointed in the written work and accused the creator of formalism. All discontent resulted in a ban (Decision of the Politbrewer of the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks) on performing the symphony right up to 1955.
Structure
Even though miniature, the symphony consists of 5 parts, 3 of which are played in a row without interruption (3-4-5).
- Allegro (lively) personifies a light image with a touch of Mozart or Haydn's sonata allegro. The melody has a carefree character and only loses it in a reprise.
- Moderato (moderately) sounds in a lyrical mood. Part, thanks to the saddened main part of the clarinet and the excited side, performed by stringed instruments, is filled with penetration and concentration.
- Presto (fast) is the exact opposite of the previous part. The melody in the scherzo (a fragment in a rapid movement), which initially had a carefree character, develops into something terrifying and swirls into number 4 with a whirlwind.
- Largo (widely) forces to completely destroy the image of a lyrical-comedic composition. The music is filled with deep tragedy. The theme performed by the bassoon is the personification of sorrow.
- Allegretto - allegro outwardly may seem to be cheerful. However, the bassoon preceding earlier in personifying grief suddenly transforms into something comical, leaving behind a peculiar sediment. The final code sounds in the style of the final 4 symphony of the composer Mahler Gustav (one of Shostakovich's favorite musical figures).
Instruments of the 9th Shostakovich Symphony
The brass team includes its representatives:
- flute (2);
- piccolo flute (1);
- oboe (2);
- clarinet (2);
- bassoon (2);
- horn (4);
- pipe (2);
- trombone (3);
- tuba (1).
I would like to note that the musical family has a great variety of rhythmic groups. The entire list of percussion instruments of the 9th Shostakovich symphony:
- Timpani
- bells
- big and small drums;
- triangle;
- dishes;
- tambourine.
To help the above instruments, string support is also included.
Total
D. D. Shostakovich became known throughout the world as early as 20 years, when his first symphony sounded on the stages of the USA, Europe and the USSR. After a decade, the composer's ballet and opera compositions were staged on the stages of the best theaters.
The 9th symphony of Dmitry Shostakovich is yet another proof that the composer's work was the result of the "great Russian era and world music."