Alexander Glazunov, a Russian composer and teacher, considered Shostakovich the "greatest musical talent since Mozart."
Composition History
Shostakovich's Symphony No. 1 was his graduation work from the Leningrad Conservatory, premiered when he was just nineteen years old.
Compositional Technique
Shostakovich's early works, including Symphony No. 1, display a "mocking streak," a "taste for bizarre twists," and the ability to question Romantic pathos through formulaic elements.
Performer Biography
Andrey Boreyko, the conductor on this album, was born in St. Petersburg and received his musical education at his hometown's conservatory.
Composer Biography
Dmitry Shostakovich, the composer, was described by writer Mikhail Zoshchenko as having "enormous contradictions," being both fragile and strong, acerbic and astute.
Critical Reception
The premiere of Symphony No. 1 made Shostakovich an overnight celebrity, with congratulations from prominent colleagues like Alban Berg and interest from conductors such as Arturo Toscanini and Leopold Stokowski.
Compositional Technique
The Symphony No. 1 features a transparent orchestral writing style, allowing listeners to follow individual musical 'building blocks' even during loud tutti sections.
