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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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.
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.
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.