Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Major, Op. 102: II. Andante
Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich (Russian: Дмитрий Дмитриевич Шостакович) (… Read Full Bio ↴Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich (Russian: Дмитрий Дмитриевич Шостакович) (September 25 [O.S. September 12] 1906, (St Petersburg, Russia) – August 9, 1975) was a Russian composer of the Soviet period.
Shostakovich had a complex and difficult relationship with the Soviet government, suffering two official denunciations of his music, in 1936 and 1948, and the periodic banning of his work. At the same time, he received a number of accolades and state awards and served in the Supreme Soviet. Despite the official controversy, his works were popular; he is now held to be, as Grove's judges him, the most talented Soviet composer of his generation.
After a period influenced by Prokofiev and Stravinsky (Symphony No. 1), Shostakovich switched to modernism (Symphony No. 2 and The Nose) before developing a hybrid of styles with the opera "The Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk "and the ill-fated Fourth Symphony. This hybrid style ranged from the neo-classical (with Stravinskian influences) to the post-romantic music (with Mahlerian influences). His tonality involved much use of modality and some astringent neo-classical harmonies à la Hindemith and Prokofiev. His music frequently includes sharp contrasts and elements of the grotesque.
Shostakovich prided himself on his orchestration, which is clear, economical, and well-projected. This aspect of Shostakovich's technique owes more to Gustav Mahler than Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. His greatest works are generally considered to be his symphonies and string quartets, fifteen of each. Other works include operas, six concertos, and a substantial quantity of film music. David Fanning concludes in Grove that, "Amid the conflicting pressures of official requirements, the mass suffering of his fellow countrymen, and his personal ideals of humanitarian and public service, he succeeded in forging a musical language of colossal emotional power." Shostakovich is now regarded as "the most popular composer of serious art music of the middle years of the 20th century".
Shostakovich had a complex and difficult relationship with the Soviet government, suffering two official denunciations of his music, in 1936 and 1948, and the periodic banning of his work. At the same time, he received a number of accolades and state awards and served in the Supreme Soviet. Despite the official controversy, his works were popular; he is now held to be, as Grove's judges him, the most talented Soviet composer of his generation.
After a period influenced by Prokofiev and Stravinsky (Symphony No. 1), Shostakovich switched to modernism (Symphony No. 2 and The Nose) before developing a hybrid of styles with the opera "The Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk "and the ill-fated Fourth Symphony. This hybrid style ranged from the neo-classical (with Stravinskian influences) to the post-romantic music (with Mahlerian influences). His tonality involved much use of modality and some astringent neo-classical harmonies à la Hindemith and Prokofiev. His music frequently includes sharp contrasts and elements of the grotesque.
Shostakovich prided himself on his orchestration, which is clear, economical, and well-projected. This aspect of Shostakovich's technique owes more to Gustav Mahler than Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. His greatest works are generally considered to be his symphonies and string quartets, fifteen of each. Other works include operas, six concertos, and a substantial quantity of film music. David Fanning concludes in Grove that, "Amid the conflicting pressures of official requirements, the mass suffering of his fellow countrymen, and his personal ideals of humanitarian and public service, he succeeded in forging a musical language of colossal emotional power." Shostakovich is now regarded as "the most popular composer of serious art music of the middle years of the 20th century".
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Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Major Op. 102: II. Andante
Dmitri Shostakovich Lyrics
No lyrics text found for this track.
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
San Jose Mike
When I was a teen, driving alone on a deserted Detroit street in the Winter, many years ago, this was not a good time in my life. I was depressed and lonely.
On came this piece on the car radio. I was very knowledgeable about classical music but had never heard it.
The tears came and I had to stop the car. It was a defining moment in my life, a gift from a man who never knew what it would mean for me.
Years later, when at his grave in Russia, I put a small stone on his grave and thanked him for the gift he gave me.
Sanjosemike
Jragir
To quote Shostakovich himself "Music is a means capable of expressing dark dramatism and pure rapture, suffering and ecstasy, fiery and cold fury, melancholy and wild merriment and the subtlest nuances and interplay of these feelings which words are powerless to express and which are unattainable in painting and sculpture."
Steve Payne
I have a keyring that says essentially the same thing in fewer words: "Where words fail, music speaks."
Monuments To Suffering
Oh how right he was. Like heaven floating through one's mind.
Monuments To Suffering
A beautiful dream long forgotten.
Birce Yurtseveroglu
12 Years ago
Joelle Podwysocki
@Steve Payne Entièrement d'accord, merci.
Richard Nancarrow
I played this piece with an orchestra. During the andante, it is piano and strings only, and as a wind player, I was able to be in the music. I looked into the audience and there was my girlfriend looking back at me and looked at one another with such love and tenderness. We are not together now, but I think of that moment when I hear the piece. I’ve listened many times, and heard many people play it, but this is the best. It is SO romantic! The strings and piano as lovers.
leigh bruerton
That has to be among the most beautiful pieces ever written .
Holly Jolie
I thought the same thing I heard it in the background of another video and I was like I HAVE TO FIND THIS!
Lyne A.
1:10 this part always gives me chills, how beautifully the piano starts playing so calmly