Shostakovich's Symphony No. 4 is perversely enigmatic despite its broad scale and large forces, a personal work cast in a gigantic form that the composer attributed to "grandiosomania." Completed in 1936, it was not performed until 1961, held back because its daring content surely would have provoked Soviet ire. Listeners today can easily understand Shostakovich's reasons for withdrawing it from performance. Sardonic and spiky, the Allegretto poco moderato lasts close to a half hour. After the declamatory opening, it is ...
Read More
Shostakovich's Symphony No. 4 is perversely enigmatic despite its broad scale and large forces, a personal work cast in a gigantic form that the composer attributed to "grandiosomania." Completed in 1936, it was not performed until 1961, held back because its daring content surely would have provoked Soviet ire. Listeners today can easily understand Shostakovich's reasons for withdrawing it from performance. Sardonic and spiky, the Allegretto poco moderato lasts close to a half hour. After the declamatory opening, it is dominated by fragmented melodies, mocking fanfares, pounding chords, and intensely wrought counterpoint, with emphasis on minor second clashes. The frenzied fugue after the 15-minute mark is a high point of this sprawling movement. Compared to the Allegretto, the Moderato con moto seems brief, a waltz that disconsolately meanders and passes through a serious contrapuntal treatment only to find its end in parody. The Largo introduction to the finale is an openly Mahlerian funeral march,...
Read Less
Add this copy of Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4 in C Minor to cart. $32.07, new condition, Sold by Music Fiendz rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from South Hackensack, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 1994 by Naxos.
Portions of content provided by Rovi Corporation. © 2024 Rovi Corporation.