If you had to pick a collection of pieces with which to introduce the works of Soviet composer Dmitry Shostakovich to an otherwise unfamiliar listener, what would you pick? A symphony, for sure: Shostakovich was one of the great symphonists of the twentieth century, so a symphony would be mandatory. And of his 15 works in the form, you'd probably pick the Fifth: it's not only far and away the most popular; with its big tunes, tragic tone, and powerful developments, it's also manifestly the most representative. But what else ...
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If you had to pick a collection of pieces with which to introduce the works of Soviet composer Dmitry Shostakovich to an otherwise unfamiliar listener, what would you pick? A symphony, for sure: Shostakovich was one of the great symphonists of the twentieth century, so a symphony would be mandatory. And of his 15 works in the form, you'd probably pick the Fifth: it's not only far and away the most popular; with its big tunes, tragic tone, and powerful developments, it's also manifestly the most representative. But what else would you pick? Would you, like the producers of this disc, pick the Festive Overture, a pot-boiler that could be said to represent the composer in an optimistic mood? Would you also pick the Tahiti Trot, aka "Tea for Two," a jeux de esprit that could be said to represent the composer in an ironic mood? Would you even pick the Second Piano Concerto, a gift from the composer to his piano playing son that could be said to represent the composer in an affectionate mood? If the...
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