For the first time, the successful series of BR-KLASSIK audio biographies is devoting itself to a 20th-century composer: Dmitri Shostakovich. His symphonies are still highlights in the concert hall, and his fate has inspired great novels. But what do we really know about his life? He liked to play his cards close to his chest - and had good reason to do so... Dmitri Shostakovich himself claimed that his life was "rather grey and colorless". In reality, it was the most exciting composer's life of the 20th century. Revolution and civil war, Stalin's murderous terror, then the Second World War, the "thaw" under Khrushchev and finally Brezhnev's brutalist socialism: the whole tragic history of the Soviet Union runs like a thread through his work. As a functionary who seemed to be loyal to the party line, he played along - but his music spoke against the regime and in favor of it's victims and of the freedom of art. "This is a game that can end badly," Stalin threatened, probably in person. Shostakovich was thus obliged to fight his own fears as well. He was playing a double game - and knew it was dangerous. This audio biography draws on many sources, some of them still little-known in Germany. The result is a comprehensive, colorful and detailed picture of the composer's life, and contains several surprises - also with regard to his private life, which should not pale behind the historical panorama. Like every great composer, Shostakovich had his crises and affairs, his great sufferings and small joys.

Tracklist:

Shostakovich Doppeltes Spiel: No. 1, Roter Oktober
Shostakovich Doppeltes Spiel: No. 2, Die Wilden Zwanziger
Shostakovich Doppeltes Spiel: No. 3, Das Goldene Zeitalter
Shostakovich Doppeltes Spiel: No. 4, Stalin Geht In Die Oper
Shostakovich Doppeltes Spiel: No. 5, Frieden Und Krieg
Shostakovich Doppeltes Spiel: No. 6, Volksfeindliche Tendenzen
Shostakovich Doppeltes Spiel: No. 7, Die Fratze Stalins
Shostakovich Doppeltes Spiel: No. 8, Tauwetter
Shostakovich Doppeltes Spiel: No. 9, Held Der Sozialistischen Arbeit
Shostakovich Doppeltes Spiel: No. 10, Der Lauf Der Zeit
Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 47: I. Moderato - Allegro Non Troppo
Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 47: II. Allegretto
Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 47: III. Largo
Symphony No. 5 In D Minor, Op. 47: IV. Allegro Non Troppo

UPC: 4035719009293
Label: Br Klassiks
Release Date: 1.7.22
Format: CD

Shostakovich / Wachtveitl - Doppeltes Spiel & Symphony 5 In D Minor 47 (4pk) (4 CD)