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Which works by Dmitri Shostakovich do you recommend?

Question by …: Which works by Shostakovich do you recommend?
I am interested in this composer. Could you recommend some works for someone who doesn’t know him very well?

Answers and Views:

Answer by clicksqueek
I would strongly recommend his 5th Symphony, his two Piano Concertos, his String Quartet No.8, the Piano Quartet, and his Piano Trio No.2.

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Comments ( 3 )

  1. mephistopheles says

    As no one has mentioned it I will put forward the case for Symphony No. 8 in C minor which is my favourite symphony by Shostakovich and the first I ever listened to.
    I can not believe our much esteemed contributor has recommended the 9th !
    I like the dark, harrowing, tragic works I ain’t interested in his lighter side.

    Reply
  2. del_icious_manager says

    I would suggest you start with the following pieces:

    Cello Sonata
    Piano Concerto No 2
    String Quartet No 8
    Symphony No 5
    Symphony No 9

    Then progress to these:
    Cello Concerto No 1
    Piano Concerto No 1
    Piano Quintet
    String Quartet No 5
    Symphony No 10
    Symphony No 1
    Violin Concerto No 1

    Then these:
    The Execution of Stepan Razin
    Piano Trio No 2
    String Quartet No 9
    Symphony No 7 (Leningrad)
    Symphony No 11 (The Year 1905)
    Violin Concerto No 2

    You will find the ballet suites and film music easy listening, but they don’t, in the most part, represent the best of Shostakovich.

    Then explore, explore, explore!

    EDIT: Mephy: My recommendation for the 9th was based on its accessibility to a Shostakovich ‘newbie’. I too love the 8th, but it’s far from an easy listen for someone not yet immersed in Shostakovich’s language. And, let’s make no bones about it, the 9th is a GREAT little symphony in the same way that Prokofiev’s ‘Classical’ Symphony, although lacking the profundity of Nos 3, 5 or 6, is a fantastic achievement.

    Reply
  3. Caz says

    Waltz No. 2 which is taken from “Suite for Variety Orchestra” is my favourite. Very catchy tune! Symphonies 5 and 7 are popular pieces too.

    Reply

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