#Shostakovich symphony no 5 score full

Overview Composition Р”Р„fter his fall from favour in 1936 over the opera Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk DistrictР’В and the ballet The Limpid Stream, Shostakovich was under pressure to simplify his music and adapt it to classical models, heroic classicism being a prime characteristic of socialist realism.Р’В An adequate portrayal of socialist realism in music meant a monumental approach and an exalted rhetoric based on optimism.Р’В Shostakovich's music was considered too complex, technically, to fall under the strictures of socialist realism. The work is scored for two flutesР’В and piccolo, two oboes, two clarinetsР’В and E-flat clarinet, two bassoonsР’В and contrabassoon, four horns, three trumpets, three trombones, tuba, timpani, snare drum, triangle, cymbals, bass drum, tam-tam, glockenspiel, xylophone, two harpsР’В (one part), piano, celestaР’В and strings. This section ends and the short snare drum and timpani solo introduces a brief militaristic introduction to the finale of the movement-an extended and obsessive reiteration of the D majorР’В tonality. A tense conclusion leads to the quieter section of the piece.

Allegro non troppo This movement, in an abbreviated sonata-allegro form,Р’В picks up the march music from the climax of the opening movement, at least in manner if not in specific material.

The music is emotive and even elegiac in tone it returns to the sober mood which the scherzo interrupts. Harp and celesta play prominent roles here as well. Shostakovich fills this movement with beautiful, long melodies-one of them again based on the first theme of the first movement-punctuating them with intermezzi of solo woodwinds. The strings are divided throughout the entire movement (3 groups of violins, violas in 2, cellos in 2 the basses remain unison).

Largo After the assertive trumpets of the first movement and the raucous horns of the second, this movement uses no brass at all.

The music remains witty, satirical, raucous while also nervous.

Allegretto The opening motif in this waltz-like scherzo is a variation of the first theme of the first movement other variations can be detected throughout the movement.

The coda, with the gentle friction of minor in strings against chromatic scales in celesta, ends on a note of haunting ambiguity. With that is found all the musical material for this movement-one that is tremendously varied, its climax harsh. Whereas the first theme is based on a sharp dotted rhythm, the second relies on a static long-short-short pattern. The second theme is built out of octaves and sevenths. Variants of this theme return throughout the 3rd and 4th movements. The sharply dotted rhythm of this figure remains to accompany a broadly lyric melody played by the first violins.

Moderato The symphony opens with a strenuous string figure in canon, initially leaping and falling in minor sixthsР’В then narrowing to minor thirds.The symphony is approximately 45 minutes in length and has four movements: To find out more about conductor James Gaffigan, go to To find out more about hilarious comedian Jim Gaffigan, go to a different website. PS, I found a really cool article and video on this symphony from PBSРІР‚в„ўs Keeping Score. 47, New York Philharmonic Orchestra led by Leonard Bernstein Why is it important to listen to this symphony, the musical expression of ShostakovichРІР‚в„ўs depression and anxiety as he lived under StalinРІР‚в„ўs thumb? Listen to this episode and find out!Р”Р„udio production by Todd РІР‚СљTaller than NecessaryРІР‚Сњ Hulslander with inspired napping from Dacia Clay.

#Shostakovich symphony no 5 score full

5 is dramatic, cinematic, erratic, sarcastic, and full of existential longing РІР‚вЂњ according to Chief Conductor of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, James Gaffigan.

WeРІР‚в„ўll be back next week with another spankinРІР‚в„ў new episode.)

Please enjoy this repeat of our class with conductor James Gaffigan. (Producer Todd is off recording Two Star SymphonyРІР‚в„ўs new album right now (sweet!), so we have unearthed some old gold for you from the vault.