Howard Griffiths: Dmitri Shostakovich, Jazz Suite No 2

Featuring

Howard Griffiths
Antonii Baryshevskyi
Romain Leleu
Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester Frankfurt
Dmitri Shostakovich

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Composer Biography

Dmitri Shostakovich, the composer, supported his family as a silent film pianist during his studies due to difficult financial times.

Performer Biography

Antonii Baryshevskyi, the pianist, won first prize at the 14th Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition in Tel Aviv in 2014.

Historical Context

The doctrine of Socialist Realism was in effect for artists in the Soviet Union from April 1932, influencing composers like Shostakovich.

Composition History

Shostakovich's Suite for Variety Orchestra No. 2 was lost during the chaos of World War II and was only reconstructed in 2000 from rediscovered sketches.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Shostakovich integrated elements from popular music like waltzes, polkas, gallops, and foxtrots into his works, a trend also seen in composers like Kurt Weill and Igor Stravinsky.

Compositional Technique

The Piano Concerto No. 1 features an unusual combination of piano, trumpet, and string orchestra, suggesting a parody of classical instrumental concertos.

Performer Biography

Romain Leleu, the trumpeter on this album, is considered one of the most sought-after solo trumpeters of his generation, with a repertoire from baroque to contemporary music.