Shostakovich suffered severe rebukes from the Party authorities, including a notorious Pravda editorial in 1936 condemning his opera 'Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District' as 'Chaos instead of Music'.
Compositional Technique
The third movement of the symphony features a rumbustious waltz-theme based on Shostakovich's personal musical monogram, DSCH (D, E flat, C, B natural), which permeates much of his music.
Critical Reception
The Tenth Symphony was the subject of a fevered three-day debate at the Moscow branch of the Union of Soviet Composers in 1954, with some condemning its pessimism and others defending the composer's artistic integrity.
Performer Biography
Bernard Haitink, the conductor on this album, has had a career spanning over five decades and has held positions with major orchestras including the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
Composition History
The Tenth Symphony was Shostakovich's first significant orchestral piece in the post-Stalin era and his first symphony in about eight years.
Historical Context
Shostakovich composed his Tenth Symphony in 1953, a crucial year for Soviet art and life, as it marked the death of Stalin in March.
Recording & Production
This recording was made live at the Royal Albert Hall in London, featuring Bernard Haitink conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
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