Olivia D’Souza
Symphony No. 10 in E Minor, Op. 94, Mvt 2 “Allegro”
Dmitri Shostakovich
1953
Chamber Orchestra
Former Soviet Union
1. How does this music or art connect to your culture as well as other cultures?
This piece by Dmitri Shostakovich was created in response to the restrictions that are placed upon composers during times of oppressive government reign. This music can connect to policies placed throughout history for artists to create pieces that only praise the government without freedom.
2. What is the central theme or message of the piece(s)? How was that evoked by the piece? How is that message relevant to cultures other than the one shown in the piece?
The central theme of Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony is his anger against the rule of the Communist Party over the Soviet Union. This movement of the symphony includes many varied messages to cover up the distaste of the rule. This message is greatly relevant to Eastern European cultures since many too were considered satellite states of the Soviet Union.
3. What does the piece indicate about the culture of the country where the piece is from? Consider such things as family structure, gender roles, politics, economic status, education, poverty, sports, customs, foods, war, etc.
This political musical piece indicates the anger and disappointment those in the Soviet Union felt toward their government. The Communist Party, although claiming for equal rights and socialist life, forced their citizens into poverty and used propaganda to further their false claims. Artists and composers like Shostakovich were forced to use their media only for the government and had to come up with creative ways to encompass their true feelings within the media. This piece also alludes to life on the eastern side of the Iron Curtain. Since East Germany and other states were under Soviet control, it denotes similarities between lifestyles due to the government regime.
4. Describe the mood or thoughts (affect) evoked by the piece. Describe the devices used by the artist(s) to create this effect (i.e. compositional technique, media, use of elements and principles, etc.)
Shostakovich evokes two distinct moods in these pieces, exhilaration and anger. Shostakovich used an inner structure known as a scherzo-and-trio, modeled on a “dance” structure which emphasizes the quick meter. Shostakovich also adds a dimension of ‘joking’ to the piece by using a duple meter. Later, he also adds the bassoon by using a motif of an ancient Catholic funeral chant, which portrays a dark, foreboding tone.
5. Research the historical context/significance of the piece. How does the piece “fit” into this larger/global context?
Shostakovich created this piece after the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953. During this period, artists within the Soviet Union felt some creative relief and were able to resume their original world without fear of state control. Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony takes advantage of this period and uses compositional techniques that may not have been state approved during Stalin’s life.
6. How did this experience change your world view
Listening and learning about Dmitri Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony changed my worldview by exposing me to the fears artists faced when their media was controlled and the exhilaration they experience when they can return to their true media.
Symphony No. 10 in E Minor, Op. 94, Mvt 2 “Allegro”
Dmitri Shostakovich
1953
Chamber Orchestra
Former Soviet Union
1. How does this music or art connect to your culture as well as other cultures?
This piece by Dmitri Shostakovich was created in response to the restrictions that are placed upon composers during times of oppressive government reign. This music can connect to policies placed throughout history for artists to create pieces that only praise the government without freedom.
2. What is the central theme or message of the piece(s)? How was that evoked by the piece? How is that message relevant to cultures other than the one shown in the piece?
The central theme of Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony is his anger against the rule of the Communist Party over the Soviet Union. This movement of the symphony includes many varied messages to cover up the distaste of the rule. This message is greatly relevant to Eastern European cultures since many too were considered satellite states of the Soviet Union.
3. What does the piece indicate about the culture of the country where the piece is from? Consider such things as family structure, gender roles, politics, economic status, education, poverty, sports, customs, foods, war, etc.
This political musical piece indicates the anger and disappointment those in the Soviet Union felt toward their government. The Communist Party, although claiming for equal rights and socialist life, forced their citizens into poverty and used propaganda to further their false claims. Artists and composers like Shostakovich were forced to use their media only for the government and had to come up with creative ways to encompass their true feelings within the media. This piece also alludes to life on the eastern side of the Iron Curtain. Since East Germany and other states were under Soviet control, it denotes similarities between lifestyles due to the government regime.
4. Describe the mood or thoughts (affect) evoked by the piece. Describe the devices used by the artist(s) to create this effect (i.e. compositional technique, media, use of elements and principles, etc.)
Shostakovich evokes two distinct moods in these pieces, exhilaration and anger. Shostakovich used an inner structure known as a scherzo-and-trio, modeled on a “dance” structure which emphasizes the quick meter. Shostakovich also adds a dimension of ‘joking’ to the piece by using a duple meter. Later, he also adds the bassoon by using a motif of an ancient Catholic funeral chant, which portrays a dark, foreboding tone.
5. Research the historical context/significance of the piece. How does the piece “fit” into this larger/global context?
Shostakovich created this piece after the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953. During this period, artists within the Soviet Union felt some creative relief and were able to resume their original world without fear of state control. Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony takes advantage of this period and uses compositional techniques that may not have been state approved during Stalin’s life.
6. How did this experience change your world view
Listening and learning about Dmitri Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony changed my worldview by exposing me to the fears artists faced when their media was controlled and the exhilaration they experience when they can return to their true media.