Piano Concerto No. 1 (Shostakovich)
Encyclopedia
The Concerto in C minor for Piano, Trumpet, and String Orchestra, Op.
35, was completed by Dmitri Shostakovich
in 1933
and premiered the same year by the composer at the piano
and the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra
. Despite the title, it is a true piano concerto
rather than a double concerto in which the trumpet
and piano command equal prominence. The trumpet parts frequently take the form of sardonic interjections, leavening the humor and wit of the piano passage work. However, the trumpet assumes relatively equal importance during the conclusion of the last movement, immediately after the cadenza for piano solo.
The premiere of the work was relatively successful, and there are several recordings of Shostakovich performing the work for large audiences. Although his style was sometimes criticized as mechanical, and displaying lack of emotion, he repeatedly played the concerto and was well received.
, depending on the interpretation:
The Moderato is sometimes seen as an introductory passage to the Allegro con brio rather than as a separate movement. However, it is usually considered to be the third of four movements, as the moods of the two are very different. Some recordings feature only three movements, with the last marked as Moderato – Allegro con brio. While the "Moderato" is of a more serious nature, the "Allegro con brio" is in a somewhat lighter tone. The concerto is concluded by a brief but intense cadenza, with the strings reentering to build tension near the finish. The movement comes to a close with short C Major bursts of the strings and piano, accompanied by the humorous trumpet.
Opus number
An Opus number , pl. opera and opuses, abbreviated, sing. Op. and pl. Opp. refers to a number generally assigned by composers to an individual composition or set of compositions on publication, to help identify their works...
35, was completed by Dmitri Shostakovich
Dmitri Shostakovich
Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich was a Soviet Russian composer and one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th century....
in 1933
1933 in music
-Events:*January 23 – Béla Bartók's Piano Concerto No. 2 is premiered in Frankfurt*National Association for American Composers and Conductors is founded by Henry Hadley.*Billie Holiday is "discovered" singing at Monette's club....
and premiered the same year by the composer at the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra
St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra
The Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra was formed in 1882 and is Russia's oldest symphony orchestra.It was initially known as the "Imperial Music Choir" and performed privately for the court of Alexander III of Russia. By the 1900s it had started to give public performances at the...
. Despite the title, it is a true piano concerto
Piano concerto
A piano concerto is a concerto written for piano and orchestra.See also harpsichord concerto; some of these works are occasionally played on piano...
rather than a double concerto in which the trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
and piano command equal prominence. The trumpet parts frequently take the form of sardonic interjections, leavening the humor and wit of the piano passage work. However, the trumpet assumes relatively equal importance during the conclusion of the last movement, immediately after the cadenza for piano solo.
The premiere of the work was relatively successful, and there are several recordings of Shostakovich performing the work for large audiences. Although his style was sometimes criticized as mechanical, and displaying lack of emotion, he repeatedly played the concerto and was well received.
Structure
The concerto comprises either three or four movementsMovement (music)
A movement is a self-contained part of a musical composition or musical form. While individual or selected movements from a composition are sometimes performed separately, a performance of the complete work requires all the movements to be performed in succession...
, depending on the interpretation:
- Allegretto
- Lento
- Moderato
- Allegro con brio
The Moderato is sometimes seen as an introductory passage to the Allegro con brio rather than as a separate movement. However, it is usually considered to be the third of four movements, as the moods of the two are very different. Some recordings feature only three movements, with the last marked as Moderato – Allegro con brio. While the "Moderato" is of a more serious nature, the "Allegro con brio" is in a somewhat lighter tone. The concerto is concluded by a brief but intense cadenza, with the strings reentering to build tension near the finish. The movement comes to a close with short C Major bursts of the strings and piano, accompanied by the humorous trumpet.