Just listening now for the first time to the 4th movement of Shostakovich's Piano Trio No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 67.

The pianist plays, towards the beginning, a melody that reappears in his later (and very famous) String Quartet No. 8, 2nd movement (but much slower in the trio).

Just thought that was kind of cool. And it gives those of you with recordings a chance to listen again (or for the first time?).

Yup!

Good on ya, pianojerome! I went back and listened to the quartet and indeed, you're quite correct. Which recording of the Trio were you listening to?

Ah, but such intense music. A bit of the "low comedy" of Shostakovich's 6th Symphony (final movement) seemed a good tonic after such high drama!

Being guilty of not having a recording of the piano trio, I must ask a silly question: You mean the stuff he uses also in his First Cello Concerto (the best cello concerto ever written. Sorry Elgar and Dvorak fans), where he spells out his name: D Es C H...??

Could be, I don't have the scores, though a casual re-listen to the Trio didn't contain S's name, even when poking it out on the piano.

But as for 'cello concertos: pick your favourite within a certain time frame and best leave it at that. Whatever you think about the Shostakovich First, do you really feel it can be properly compared with earlier examples? Would you claim that the Emperor Concerto is greater than the Mozart K503? Music is not necessarily a Darwinian evolutionary process.

The Elgar Cello Concerto is a magnificent statement of "a man's attitude to life". It was conceived at a very critical juncture in both Elgar's personal life and that of Western Civilization in the wake of the Great War. It reflects that state of mind to a farthing, and considering all the crap that took place subsequently, I feel that comparisons to the Shostakovich are not only unwarranted, but very unfair.

Yet ultimately, doesn't it really come down to the simple and unarguable fact that you prefer Shostakovich to Elgar? I very much respect your opinions on this board, and trust you will grant me that same headspace. Cheers, buxtehude- you're cool...

Yes I hope you are really sorry Buxtehude, 'cause I'm the Dvorak fan (Already looking forward to hearing this live with Truls Mørk in May).

I have some problems with this "best ever" - and I guess I will have to listen more to Shostakovich

Ragnhild

Jason, ofcourse - I'm prepared to die (or at least get superfluously wounded) for your right to express your opinions, which I always read, learn from and apreciate. And by now I should have learned to express myself more carefully when I air my idiosyncrasies; yes, it does come down to the fact that I prefer Schostakovich to Elgar, nothing else - I didn't mean to state a new law of nature.

Ragnhild, I'm sorry. I have this thing with romantic period music... While it was so in my youth it's not really my cup of tea anymore. (Though I do admire Truls Mørk - I've heard him play several times live in Copenhagen, especially in my cello-period). As to your signature; what about: Ragnhild - Queen of the Polar Circle?

So Buxtehude you've had a "cello-period" and it's over now ......? I thought your wife is a cellist ?

I'm happy that you like Truls Mørk he's really one of my favourite musicians - and he plays Bach too.... and Shostakovich I think , but I'm the kind that still weeps every time I hear Faure's Siciliano

---------------------
Ragnhild ............Queen of the Polar Bears

She is, and that's why: our family isn't big enough for two cellists (and she is much better than me... that discourages a little.)

[ED: just noticed your new signature, Ragnhild! How far north do you live?]

[Ed ed: alright, I admit: she was my cello teacher; that's how we met. Can't get more romantic, can it?]

Buxtehude, I think we have destroyed the seriousness of Pianojerome's thread completely....

Good idea about the Cello-teacher - but I'm afraid Truls Mørk is married with three children..

And there are no Polar Bears where I live - this island is probably most famous for beeing the place where mr Andsnes grew up..

Now, please forgive me Jason and Sam and other serious students of classical music, I leave this thread to you.....and to Shostakovich.

-------------------------
Ragnhild.......Off topic as usual

Skudeneshavn or Kopervik? (Did you know Andsnes before he left for the mainland?)

And I love the Nocturne from Shostakovich 1. violin consert...... :p

------------------
Ragnhild.......beginning a new and better life always on topic

DSCH is not the only part of his 1st cello concerto that is repeated later on... the opening melody in the 1st movement (that reappears in the middle of the 4th movement shortly before those big glissandos) is also at the end of the 3rd movement of String Quartet No. 8.

And, no, "DSCH" is not the same theme that I was referring to in the trio. But it was a good guess.

Two recordings:

http://www.amazon.com/Shostakovich-.../102-2979682-0779353?ie=UTF8&s=music

http://www.amazon.com/Shostakovich-.../102-2979682-0779353?ie=UTF8&s=music

Both with Shostakovich as the pianist.

Me too. :p

The middle dance-like section of the 2nd movement is one of my favorite parts.

Actually, now that I think about it, the opening of that melody is the DSCH played a little backwards: CHSD. And that's also the opening of the 2nd movement Scherzo in his Violin Concerto No. 1.

That should be interesting. I've heard Shostakovich in the piano concertos, but not the trio. My recording of the latter is the recent one with Argerich, Maisky and Kremer. A rather volatile mix!

Yes, what about that? And sorry to hijack the thread just a bit more, but mention of Andsnes prompts me to say that I consider him one of the absolute finest pianists of his generation. I try to catch him whenever he comes to London and would love to attend a masterclass.

Which recording of the concertos? I know of 3: 1st with Samosud and 2nd with Gauk, both with Cluytens, and both with the composer's son Maxim as conductor. I have the first two sets on CD, and at least the first one is very enjoyable (I just got the one with Cluytens yesterday but haven't listened to it yet...).

If there's anything I've learned from listening to various recordings of Shostakovich playing the piano, it is this: he was a real speed demon!

Shostakovich used this musical signature in a number of pieces, one I just heard the other night for the first time. The local orcherstra performed his Chamber Symphony 100a. I believe it's actually an arrangement of the 8th String Quartet. I have to admit I'm not a huge Shastakovich fan, but I really liked this piece, very introspective, dark and dramatic.

On the hijacked side of this thread - I agree that Andsnes is an incredible pianist. I had the pleasure of seeing him in concert in December 2005 in Los Angeles.....wow!

Ragnhild, I have a special fondness for Norway and hope to visit your country soon.

Norma