Shostakovich privately considered the Eighth Quartet to be autobiographical and a 'farewell to life,' associating joining the Party with a 'moral, as well as a physical death.'
Compositional Technique
The Eighth Quartet, which is the basis for the Chamber Symphony, is haunted by a four-note motif, D, E flat, C, B (D-Ess-C-H in German notation), representing Shostakovich's own initials.
Composer Biography
In September 1960, the 54-year-old Dmitri Shostakovich, a renowned composer, surprised many by applying to join the Communist Party after years of resisting.
Historical Context
Shostakovich's decision to join the Communist Party was influenced by immense pressure from Nikita Khrushchev's regime, which sought endorsement from leading Soviet intelligentsia.
Composition History
The Eighth Quartet, which Rudolf Barshai arranged into the Chamber Symphony on this album, was written by Shostakovich during a visit to East Germany in July 1960.
Composition History
The Piano Concerto No. 1, also known as the Concerto for piano, trumpet and strings, premiered in 1933 with Shostakovich himself performing at the piano.
Composition History
The Two pieces for string octet, subtitled 'Prelude' and 'Scherzo', were composed by Shostakovich while he was a student at the Leningrad Conservatory.
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