Dmitri Shostakovich A Sound for the Soviet BY: zAckery Barker Slcc student 2014 Music 1010

Early Life 1906- Born in St. Petersburg, Russia Father was a civil servant of the Soviet Union Mother was a pianist at the Leningrad Conservatory. Began music study at the age of nine Dmitri Shostakovich was born in St. Petersburg Russia in 1906. His father was a civil servant to Russia and his mother was a pianist who attend Leningrad conservatory. Shostakovich did not begin his music studies until the age of 9 where it was recognized that he advanced very quickly in the subject.

Early Career Played piano at silent films during his studies to support himself. Shostakovich released his first piece Symphony No. 1 at the age of 19 on May 12th, 1926. Soon after he released his Piano Concerto No. 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZhtbQh1s28 Shostakovich released his first piece Symphony No. 1 at the age of 19 on May 12th, 1926. Soon after he released his Piano Concerto No. 1. With these two pieces alone he was well recognized and began his start at fame.

Trials in the Soviet Shostakovich was a Soviet Composer, meaning he was heavily watched by the Soviet Union during World War II. During this Time the Soviet had very tight reins on the music that was composed and released to be heard by the citizen ears. The Soviet looked for propaganda, Stalin wanted music to invoke patriotism and triumph for the hearing ears. Stalin and the Soviet had very tight reins on the music that was played during Shostakovich’s time

Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk Shostakovich released his first opera in 1934 “Lady Macbeth of Mtensk” which at first was positively regarded and heard by the people, with over a hundred and fifty performances in its first two year run. Stalin attended one of the performances however and decided to ban the performance and imprisoned several of Shostakovich’s family members. Shostakovich however was never imprisoned. Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, was Shostakovich’s first opera and at first was seen in a positive light https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SS1h1SVVaw Stalin decided to ban the opera because it didn’t correctly reflect the Soviet spirit. Stalin also imprisoned many members of Shostakovich’s family

Mid-Life Works After the ban his Opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, Shostakovich had a rough time getting back up. However He made his comeback with his 5th symphony, in which his work showed the true spirit of the Soviet, in which the work finishes with a patriotic and triumphant finish. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1h1NJM Ktnc He also became a professor in order to prove his worth and support of the Soviet. Shostakovich’s career was headed in a downward slope after the ban of his Opera. Because of the power and influence of the communist party his music began to be seen unfavorably. His compositions also changed due to the influence of the communist party and soviet influence. He had to make his works begin to “seem” more patriotic and favorable in the sight of the Soviet. He made his comeback with his Symphony No. 5 which was quite the crowd pleaser. He appeared to be adhering and minding the desired guidelines for Soviet composers at the time. He also began teaching as a professor in 1937 and continued to compose. This may have been done in order to appeal to the Soviet once again. His compositions were lessened in number because of the time he spend teaching. He wrote several other works including several quartets and symphonies during this time. His Piano quintet won the Stalin Prize in 1940.

Works Banned or un-released Shostakovich had a close watch on him, many of his works were banned, such as: Opera, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk Symphony number 4, (released at a later time) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx5UaMr9V-Y Symphony number 9, censored and not released by the Soviet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwoApMlAG6w symphony number 13 Shostakovich apologized for his works however he continued to write pieces similar to these. During the time between his release of Symphony No. 5 and the death of Stalin his works were possibly there to please only his audience which was first the communist party and the Soviet Union. The Citizens were only allowed to hear that which was not censored. His works like the Symphony No. 4 was not released until a later time simply out of fear of negative consequences from his listeners. He did release certain pieces like his opera “Lady Macbeth of Mtensk” and also his Symphony No. 9 which were both censored, due to the lack of Soviet Patriotism. Out of fear he wrote an apology to the Soviet, yet he continued to write darker pieces filled with despair.

After Stalin’s Death Stalin’s death in 1953, made room for more creativity and works from Shostakovich and others. The Symphony number 10 was to show his thoughts of life under Stalin. Symphony Number 10: Allegro This Piece may be one of the view without outside influential influences. The time of Stalin’s death in 1953 was a great change for the people of the Soviet, especially for the composers. There was a looser rein, still shackled however the reins were much looser. Dmitri’s Symphony No. 10 was a piece to show his thoughts of what life was like under Stalin. This point in his life he is able to truly release more of the pieces he wants to and not what he is asked to.

Cello Concerto No. 1 1959- Released his Cello Concerto No.1 This was a time where Stalin was no longer an influence and he hadn’t yet joined the communist party Representation of his DSCH Motif A four movement piece, Each piece has a possible theme. 1 anger and vengeance 2 feeling of uneasiness and mixed feelings Solo cadenza – speed hastens and emotions rise 4 rise in vengeance again with a triumphant ending. His Cello Concerto No. 1 is a piece which truly shows his dark and gloomy side and is a representation of possible repressed feelings. This was composed at a time in his life where the influence of Stalin was no longer at hand and he hadn’t yet joined the communist party. This piece was released in 1959 and has an example of his DSCH motif right at the beginning of the piece. The DSCH motif is in a sense Shostakovich’s signature or even motto. This piece however still shows a triumphant ending as always requested by the Soviet. This could have been done in means to still please the government or truly these may have been his thoughts. This does however spark the question, what were Shostakovich’s compositions that really reflected his thoughts and not the soviet spirit? This piece has its four movements, each speaking volumes. The first of feeling of possible anger and vengeance. The second a feeling of uneasiness and many mixed feelings and confusion. The third is a Solo Cadenza in which there is a constant rise in emotion as the speed of the piece hastens. Then back to the vengeance in the fourth movement and finishes of the piece with a triumphant ending. Which could be out of mocking or even possibly, habit or once again a fear of the government.

DSCH Motif Russian notation spells his name/ motto German notation D for Dmitri SCH for his last name German notation D,E#,C,B This was a way to possibly place himself in the song and his reactions to the other pieces of the song. DSCH motif used in the melody of his Cello Concerto No. 1 Cello concerto no. 1- listen to the first notes, this is the Motif In the Cello Concerto No. 1, we hear a signature used by Shostakovich, it is his DSCH motif. The Russian notation spells his name D for Dmitri and SCH for his last name. These notes translate to the note D,E#,C,B. This signature is used throughout the song as a melody and is also distorted throughout. The Russian notation spells his name but in German notation it would be D,E#,C,B.

Sorrow in his last days 1960- joins the Communist Party Writes pieces for the people, but continues to add his touch of darkness Personal life is a mess Poor physical health, continuous visits to the hospital His 2nd marriage ends and he proposes to other women but they reject him Loved ones and family members die In 1960 he joins the Communist Party and begins to write pieces that please the people and yet still show his art and form by adding his personal touch of darkness and despair. During these years to the end of his life Shostakovich’s personal life was a mess. His physical health was poor and he continually had to visit the hospital, his 2nd marriage ended and he was rejected by the others he proposed to. He also began to lose several of the friends and family members that were close to him.

Final pieces His pieces reflect the despair and attitude he had. Symphony no. 13 is banned and censored Symphony No. 14 is very sad and sorrowful Symphony No. 14 video Tries to get Lady Macbeth approved Approved by the government after adjustments were made His pieces reflect the despair and attitude he had. His Symphony No. 13 was once again ban/censored. He also tried to get the government to allow his Opera “Lady Macbeth” however they did not allow it until he made adjustments, which he did. His final string quartet and Symphony No.14 portray his feelings and attitude towards life. These were very sorrowful and sad pieces.

A Happy Ending Remarries and remains married until the end of his life and seems happy Final pieces reflect happiness and a sense of peace Still reflect his other works and do give a sense of despair or darkness nonetheless His final piece is op 147, sonata for Viola and Piano Final Piece However at the end of his life he did remarry and remained married until the end and seemed to be fairly happy. His final pieces give a sense of these emotions and even a sense of joy and peace.

Bibliography "Dmitri Shostakovich." Dmitri Shostakovich: a life|Classic FM. 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 6 Oct. 2014. <http://www.classicfm.com/composers/shostakovich/guides/dmitri-shostakovich-life/   Fanning, David (text), and Laurel E. Fay (work-list, bibliography): ‘Shostakovich, Dmitry’, Grove Music Online ed. L. Macy (Accessed 31 May 2007), http://www.grovemusic.com Fay, Laurel E.  Shostakovich: A Life.  New York: Oxford University Press, 2000. Koob, Lindsay. "Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 1." Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 1. Delos Productions Inc., 18 July 2013. Web. 6 Oct. 2014. <http://www.delosmusic.com/shostakovich-cello- concerto-no-1/>. Unknown. "Dmitry Shostakovich." Dmitry Shostakovich. Music Academy Online. Web. 5 Oct. 2014. <http://www.musicacademyonline.com/composer/biographies.php?bid=133>.