Dmitri Shostakovich: The Shackled Genius
References:
“Shostakovich against Stalin: The War Symphonies” -1997-
“Symphony Nr. 7 “Leningrad” -1942-
“Waltz Nr.2” from “Suite for Variety Orchestra” -1956-
“The Romance” from “The Gadfly op 97” -1956-
“Meditation” from “Thaïs” -1894-
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“Shostakovich embodied our epoch. He portrayed its controversy and tragedy. He reflected our life.” This declaration made by one of his friend at the beginning of the documentary “ The War Symphonies; Shostakovich Against Stalin” captured the dimension of the Russian composer, whose life and personal dramas would define the Soviet Era and its people under Stalin and during WWII.
Born in 1906, the young Shostakovich entered the Petrograd Conservatory at age thirteen in 1919. There he studied piano and musical composition. He gained international recognition after writing his first sonata and symphony by the young age of nineteen. Some material of this symphony, though written as graduation exercise, dated from much earlier, probably from the early years of Conservatory.
Premiered in 1926, the First symphony was a success and prompted the Soviet regime to order a second symphony to commemorate the October Revolution. With this early recognition, Shostakovich started a turbulent career that would get him in turn to be celebrated and later to be repudiated by the regime, which denunciated his “conformism” (in fact his “anti-conformism”).
In this regard, it is worth remembering that Shostakovich grew up during the Soviet Era, as he probably was too young to have any actual recollection of the period preceding the Revolution. He was therefore shaped and marked by events of the 1920’s and 1930’s such as the New Economic Policy (NEP), the collectivization or the intense propaganda with its glowing optimism imposed on everyone. For example, Shostakovich also wrote music score of propaganda movies in the early 30’s such as “The Counterplan” (1932) that sound eerily cheerful at a time where everyone was suffering in the country.
Forced into pledging his loyalty to Stalin, Shostakovich had been in good terms with the regime until the mid-1930’s. This situation changed completely overnight after Stalin and a few Soviet officials walked out upset from a representation of Shostakovich’s opera “Lady Macbeth” staged at the Bolshoi Theater. Stalin did not like at all what he saw.
This public rebuff sounded the charge against Shostakovich and everything or everyone associated with him. The following day, the regime newspaper, “Pravda” wrote a devastating article that would be a resounding warning and a Damocles Sword hanging above Shostakovich’s head for years to come. Making concessions, he forced himself from that time onwards to write music agreeable to the Communist Party, yet remained at odds with the authorities through the years. His 7th (Leningrad), 8th (Stalingrad) and 9th Symphonies are examples of what was described as Shostakovich’s hidden sarcasm towards the Soviet regime.
Eventually, Shostakovich was rehabilitated in 1941 thanks to the 7th Symphony (“Leningrad”). The new symphony composed to show support to the inhabitants of Leningrad then under siege by the Hitler was met with a lot of enthusiasm by the people in Russia and contributed to a positive image of the Soviet Union abroad. Following this triumph Shostakovich, he was appointed professor at the Leningrad Conservatory and received the Stalin price for this 7th Symphony.
In disgrace in 1948, he lost this position but regained it in 1961 under Nikita Krutschev. Exhausted by several heart attacks, Shostakovich would finally pass away in 1975.
The 7th Symphony (“Leningrad”)
The 7th Symphony (“Leningrad”) is a masterpiece. Shostakovich had started writing it around 1940 as a tribute to Lenin. Meanwhile the German armies invaded the country and Shostakovich’s hometown was under siege. He decided to complete the symphony with Leningrad (today’s St. Petersburg) in mind and dedicated it to the city.
Leningrad’s blockade as it was also known lasted from August 1941 until January 1944. The toll in terms of casualties was excruciating and is described as the costliest of any siege in human history (between 1.5 and 4.5 million victims depending on the source). The 7th Symphony was premiered in Samara and later in Moscow in March 1942. It became a symbol of resistance against Hitler. Subsequently the symphony was performed around the world.
It was performed in Leningrad in August 1942. Despite the dramatic situation of the city lacking everything (food, medicine, water etc.) and being continuously bombed, the conductor Karl Eliasberg managed to put together an orchestra with barely surviving musicians. The symphony was broadcasted on the radio, boosting the mood of Russian civilians and fighting troops. “This was the music we wanted to hear” a survivor said. This event is regarded as a defining moment for the Leningrad blockade and the fight against Hitler.
The first movement of the 7th Symphony is famous for its invasion theme (at the 7th minute). It was written in a powerful crescendo depicting the Nazi armies marching into Russia to the sound of a snare drum. Various instruments are gradually added to the theme, which becomes increasingly dissonant and loud to the frantic beat of a faster snare drum until reaching a chaotic climax in a maelstrom of notes.
On a quieter and softer note, Shostakovich had also composed lighter pieces during his career. He is said to have been a “very happy and lively young man”. He had written Waltz for children for instance but became gloomier as the composer grew old and had to endure a world of treachery and torments, he became more severe and austere. Yet he would produce happier pieces on several occasions.
The “Waltz Nr. 2” taken from the 1956 “Suite for Variety Orchestra” is one well-known example. The theme of this piece echoes that written in 1938 for the Jazz Suites that feature on the Jazz Album. The “Waltz Nr. 2” is based on a traditional three beat counts with a simple melody. The mood is nostalgic.
A little less know is a track called “the Romance” taken from “The Gadfly op 97”. A beautiful and romantic piece for violin written for a movie in 1956, it is peaceful and sensual and contrasts all the more to his other works.
The French composer Jules Massenet’s “Meditation” taken from his opera “Thaïs” written in 1894 has inspired the “Romance”.
