Shostakovich received the commission for this work literally days before the intended concert a gathering at the bolshoy theatre on 6 november 1954, celebrating the 37th. It opens with an exuberant, rising fanfare which transitions to a spritely, lyrical main theme at a breakneck tempo. Shostakovich s life is a fascinating example of the paradoxes of living as an artist under totalitarian rule. The last movement is particularly terrifying, especially the weird, insistent. Stepan razin is an interesting coral symphony poem that has powerful russian choruses and the great orchestration characteristic of shostakovich. Concert band composed by dmitri shostakovich 19061975. Better scoring would help the work, although i cant say how much. Dmitry shostakovich was a russian composer whose symphonies and quartets, numbering 15 each, are among the greatest examples from the 20th century of these classic forms. Shostakovich, who actually composed his piece at preposterous speed supposedly in a few hours, although this is probably only an anecdote and was said to have laughed at its subsequent success, uses and abuses his glinka model with extraordinary and sarcastic brilliance, speeding the fast up even faster so that a largescale symphony orchestra begins to race around like the ridiculous accompaniment to a cartoonfilm of the tomandjerry kind. There are plenty of chances for the bso to show off their high level of playing under nelsons in the festive overture, op. Whether he was compliant or a closet dissident has been the subject of contention. Shostakovich festival overture notes by paul serotsky. Aug 07, 2015 on 9 august it will be 40 years since the death of dmitri shostakovich, one of the most significant musical figures of the 20th century.
The subtitle of the symphony refers to the events of the russian revolution of 1905. Shostakovichs opera is not very accessible, and babi yar the th symphony is very long. With this overture shostakovich shows his brighter side in contrast to his melancholy 10th symphony written in the previous. Dsch was a brave and subtle composer, a great example of tradition and dissent in history. Born in st petersburg in 1906, he studied the piano with. That episodic masterpiece joins his rousing festive overture 1954. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. His style evolved from the brash humor and experimental character of his first period, exemplified by the operas the nose and lady macbeth of mtsensk, into both the more introverted melancholy and. The overture on russian and kirghiz themes is decent enough, but. His new compositions were getting played, but everything prior to the zhdanov purge of 1948 was still banned, and he himself was still officially unpersoned and living from hand to mouth. Classical music expert fran hoepfner discusses the dark time in soviet history, which informs dmitri shostakovichs festive overture. Doctor of musical arts performance, may 2016, 1 pp.
Preparing selected wind band euphonium audition material through the use of etudes. Hearing history in shostakovichs fifth symphony for marin alsop, music director of the baltimore symphony beginning in 2007, the centennial of dmitri shostakovichs birth presents an opportunity. The overture, as a musical form, features very little in shostakovich s oeuvre, and the festive overture was brought into existence through a rather strange turn of events. Apr 16, 2020 dmitry shostakovich, russian composer, renowned particularly for his 15 symphonies, numerous chamber works, and concerti, many of them written under the pressures of governmentimposed standards of soviet art. The clear model is glinkas wonderful overture to his opera ruslan and lyudmila, which combines astonishing orchestral virtuosity and deathdefying speed with instantly catchy melodies. Jun 22, 2011 shostakovich wrote festive overture in 1954 on a commission for the bolshoi theatres celebration of the 37th anniversary of the october revolution in 1917. Sample this to hear how the great sweep of shostakovichs more epic works ought to be done.
Jan 11, 20 it was so impressive a work that it premiered in leningrad, berlin, and philadelphia, vaulting shostakovich to the forefront of soviet art. The following document contains the curricular analysis to festive overture. Concert band sheet music book by dmitri shostakovich 19061975. Shostakovich s opera is not very accessible, and babi yar the th symphony is very long. In 1954, shostakovich wrote the festive overture, opus 96. Inside is my analysis of the piece that includes a lot of information that is vital to knowing the it. Eb clarinet festive overture dmitri shostakovich one measure before 21 to 24 clarinet march paul hindemith b to f husa music for prague mvt. London shostakovich orchestra may 2000 programme notes. Shostakovich, dmitri new york philharmonic search results. The story behind the creation of the festive overture is one of those fantastic. After running afoul of the soviet regime with his complex, often dark music, shostakovich responded with symphony no. Shostakovichs festive overture as a composer active during stalins regime, dmitri shostakovich 190675 is inextricably linked with the political climate of the time.
Festive overture shostakovich, 9786201584730, 6201584730. His style evolved from the brash humor and experimental character of his first period, exemplified by the operas the nose and lady macbeth of mtsensk, into both the more introverted melancholy and nationalistic fervor of. During the course of his career, he constantly walked a fine line between artistic freedom and the. Petersburg, russiadied august 9, 1975, moscow, russia, u. With this overture shostakovich shows his brighter side, in contrast to his melancholy 10th symphony written in the previous year. The premiere of this piece took place on november 6, 1954 at the bolshoi theatre in moscow. Always moving along with great rapidity and exitement, it is a shining example of his work. Military history archaeology culture arts history books. The history festive overturewas born during this touchy political time when shostakovich was approached in 1954 by the conductor of the boshoi theater orchestra with a doubly impossible proposition write a work in celebration of the october revolution and do so in three days. The result sounds like a palm court orchestra, without the bite of the first suite.
Festive overture by dmitri shostakovich wind band literature. Festive overture shostakovich dmitri shostakovich s fiveminute festive overture in a major, op. Hall of presidents marine band uniform library and archives. The slow movement of this work is profound, and existential in this performance. October full score by shostakovich shostakowitch, dmitry dmitri jan 1, 1984. Shostakovich, neeme jarvi suite festive overture tea for two. Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles. Shostakovich completed the piece in less than a week. Dmitri shostakovichs fiveminute festive overture in a major, op. The end of the piece especially, always stirs great excitement in me. Shostakovich, who actually composed his piece at preposterous speed supposedly in a few. Humanities, art, music music music history festive overture shostakovich.
Shostakovich wrote festive overture in 1954 on a commission for the bolshoi theatres celebration of the 37th anniversary of the october revolution in 1917. Preparing selected wind band euphonium audition material. General history european history american history asian history. Festive overture was composed in 1954 to commemorate the 37th birthday of the october revolution of 1917. Ive often heard that his 5th symphony is amongst the more wellknown, though im completely in the dark with what is the most accessible work, or the best way to enjoy shostakovich. Curricular analysis the following document contains the curricular analysis to festive overture. Although relieved by stalins death in 1953, shostakovich still had it far from easy. Sample this to hear how the great sweep of shostakovich s more epic works ought to be done. Source classical net basic repertoire list shostakovich, accessed on jan. Smilingone monthly newsletter festive edition dec 20. Shostakovich then went on to compose thoroughly unadventurous works like the gadfly film score 1955, the piano concerto no.
In august 1942, his seventh symphony, written as a protest against fascism, was performed in nazibesieged leningrad by the citys surviving musicians, and was triumphantly broadcast to the german troops, who had been bombarded. This is done by interpreting the music anew, finding new connections and new resonances in a new era. We have an interesting picture of dmitri shostakovich from sergei prokofievs son. After all, i really like shostakovich, so it doesnt involve any sacrifice. Full of fire and brilliance, this exciting work is the p.
Poway symphony orchestra dmitri shostakovich, festive overture, op. As they retire or pass on, new generations, for whom these events are material in history books, take on the task of keeping it alive. Apparently, shostakovich s own score was lost, and in 2000 or thereabouts someone decided to orchestrate the piano version. Finale was played as the cauldron was lit at the 2004 summer olympics in athens, greece. It was not performed however until the 37th anniversary, when alexander melikpashayev conducted it during a nov. However, the music actually reflects the soviet invasion of hungary, as the symphony. Dmitri shostakovich, bolshoi theatre, october revolution, vassili nebolsin. Robert hanson, conductor to most concertgoers the name shostakovich first brings to mind that composers. On 9 august it will be 40 years since the death of dmitri shostakovich, one of the most significant musical figures of the 20th century. The marines hymn hail to the chief taps bibliography band music sources sheet music encore books sousa band press books. An indefatigable worker, he wrote his arresting music despite deprivations during the nazi. Mar 01, 1995 poway symphony orchestra dmitri shostakovich, festive overture, op. Dmitry shostakovich, in full dmitry dmitriyevich shostakovich, born september 12 september 25, new style, 1906, st.
The overture, as a musical form, features very little in shostakovichs oeuvre, and the festive overture was brought into existence through a rather strange turn of events. Shostakovich, dmitry all original works compositions and arrangements of this person are still under in canada, the eu, japan and elsewhere and are thus subject to immediate deletion. Provided to youtube by the orchard enterprises festive overture band of the u. Festive overture, for orchestra in details allmusic.
The festive overture came near the beginning of this period and is as conservative a composition ever to come from his pen. Etudes have been composed to address the primary challenges found in ten selected euphonium wind band pieces. History of the assistant directors history of the drum majors history of the national concert tour marine band legacies marine band and the presidents. For this authoritative postcoldwar biography of shostakovichs illustrious but turbulent career under soviet rule, laurel e. Robert hanson, conductor to most concertgoers the name shostakovich first brings to. During the course of his career, he constantly walked a fine line between artistic freedom and the demands of the cultural police.
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