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Shostakovich Symphonies: Propaganda vs. Power
3 Apr
Summary
- Recording pairs Shostakovich's early radical symphony with his later assured work.
- Symphony No. 2 features a celebratory chorus singing about revolution.
- Symphony No. 5 balances darkness with compelling stillness and tension.
A new recording by the BBC Philharmonic, conducted by John Storgårds, presents a compelling juxtaposition of Dmitri Shostakovich's early and mature symphonic works. The program pairs the composer's radical youthful Symphony No. 2 with the more assured Symphony No. 5.
Composed to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the October Revolution, Shostakovich's Symphony No. 2 begins with experimental, almost abstract sounds before introducing a vigorous chorus. The CBSO Chorus delivers this section with enthusiastic energy, marking it as a curious but experimental work from the 21-year-old composer.
The Symphony No. 5, written ten years later, reveals a significant evolution in Shostakovich's style. Storgårds' interpretation emphasizes clarity, capturing the work's shifts from deep darkness towards moments of light and stillness, particularly in the third movement. The finale builds considerable tension through subtle increases in tempo, resulting in an effective, though not flashy, performance.
