Shostakovich Symphony No. 4

Shostakovich’s 4th symphony is not for the faint of heart. It is
a massive work, around an hour in length, and it calls for the
second largest orchestra of any in Shostakovich’s output. It is
uncompromising, sometimes brutal, and it isn't nearly as lyrical
that later Shostakovich has in spades. But with all that said,
many people, including myself, consider this symphony
Shostakovich’s symphonic masterpiece. It has been described as
the symphony containing the kernels of everything Shostakovich
would ever write after. It also marks the final piece
Shostakovich wrote before his 1936 denunciation that utterly
changed the course of his life. Today, on this Patreon-sponsored
episode, I’ll take you through this monumental work, telling you
the remarkable story of the conception and aborted first
performance of the symphony. Then we'll dive into the music
itself, talking about the large scope of the piece, it’s unusual
form, and of course the raw emotional core that is always so
present in Shostakovich. Join us for a wild ride!