David Dalle
Thursday May 18th, 2017 with David Dalle
Sorrow and Joy: Shostakovich's 6th symphony

Shostakovich's 6th symphony was composed in 1939, when the composer was still living by the mercy of Stalin. The previous 3 tumultuous years had seen Shostakovich denounced and threatened in 1936, and dramatically, but not officially, restored with the wildly successful 5th symphony in 1937. These years still left Shostakovich deeply traumatized and disillusioned for the rest of his life. The 6th symphony is a very unusual work to come from this time, and very different from his previous symphonies. It is in 3 movements, laid out unusually, with a long slow 1st movement of haunting and gloomy lyricism, followed by two much shorter movements that stand in complete contrast, full of brilliant and vibrant orchestration and almost manic cheerfulness. It received mostly, though only mildly negative reactions from friends and official bureaucrats confused by its idiosyncrasies. Though I believe it proves Shostakovich's own conviction and confidence in his compositions. It is a masterpiece. Today we hear Leonard Bernstein conducting again, in a 1987 live recording with the Vienna Philharmonic. Listen to the earlier shows in the series: 1st symphony http://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/105/30605.html Symphonies 2 & 3 http://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/105/31205.html 4th Symphony http://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/105/31701.html 5th Symphony http://cod.ckcufm.com/programs/105/31914.html