Donald Macleod explores the turbulent life of Dmitry
Shostakovich, and asks the ultimate question: Who was he? A
faithful Soviet lackey… or a secret dissident?
Dmitry Shostakovich, like his home country of Russia, was a
riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma. From the very
beginning of his career, he pushed the boundaries, but under
Stalin’s stifling regime, experimental artists were enemies of
the state, and Shostakovich was at the top of the wanted list.
The composer was forced to censor his work and betray his own
morals to survive - or was he?
Some say Shostakovich was Stalin’s faithful lackey; others read
dissident messages in his music. This week, Donald Macleod traces
five turning points in the composer's career, we start with his
First Symphony. Admitted to the Conservatoire while still just a
child and battling ill health, his debut made a splash for all
the right reasons – and the wrong ones too. Then we hear about
the fateful night that Stalin paid a visit to the opera, and
Shostakovich’s career as a composer was changed forever. After
denouncing his music, Stalin offered Shostakovich an opportunity
to rescue his reputation however, it comes at great personal
cost. The death of Stalin should have meant rebirth for
Shostakovich, but once again he finds himself backed into a
corner, forced to make a decision that shocks and mystifies those
closest to him.
Music Featured:
Piano Concerto No. 2 In F Major, Op. 102: II. Andante Symphony
No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 10: II. Allegro Symphony No. 1 in F Minor,
Op. 10: IV. Allegro molto Symphony No. 2 in B Major, Op. 14 “To
October” The Nose, Op. 15, Act 2: Scene 6 Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk
District, Op. 29, Act 2: Scene 5 Symphony No. 4 in C minor, Op.
43: I. Allegretto poco moderato Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, Op 47:
IV. Allegro non troppo Violin Concerto No. 1 In A Minor, Op. 99:
I. Nocturne. Moderato From Jewish Folk Poetry, Op.79: III.
Lullaby Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67: IV. Allegretto
Symphony No. 10 in E Minor, Op. 93: IV. Andante – Allegro The
Gadfly Suite, Op. 97a: VII. Introduction String Quartet String
Quartet No. 7 In F. Sharp Minor, Op.108: I Allegretto Hamlet
Suite, Op. 116a: Ophelia's Insanity String Quartet No. 8 in C
Minor, Op. 110: I. Largo Symphony No. 13 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 113
“Babi Yar”: IV. Fears
Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Alice McKee
For full track listings, including artist and recording details,
and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after
broadcast) head to the series page for Fryderyk Chopin
(1810-1849) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001fdx8
And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve
featured on Composer of the Week here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z
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