Symphony No. 6 (Shostakovich)
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The Symphony No. 6 in B minor (Opus 54) by Dmitri Shostakovich was written in 1939, and first performed in Leningrad on 21 November 1939 by the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra under Yevgeny Mravinsky.
The work is approximately 30 minutes in length, and has three movements:
It was originally said to be a large-scale "Lenin Symphony"- a project which was often announced, but never materialised. The work that actually appeared is unusual in structure, beginning with a long and introspective slow movement, followed by two short movements: a scherzo and a "full-blooded and debauched music-hall gallop".
The symphony had a successful premiere, but it was later criticised for its ungainly structure and the jarring juxtaposition of moods.
External link
- London Shostakovich Orchestra (http://www.shostakovich.com/may2001.html)