There is an interesting #Shostakovich album coming out tomorrow. I have more Shostakovich albums than I know what to do with, but I am interested in hearing more of the Carducci String Quartet (elsewhere simply titled, Carducci Quartet). It is his String Quartets Nos. 9 & 15
Open rehearsal of the Boston symphony, playing Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk. And I have a literal front row seat, so time for the vocalists to literally blow me away. :AquaYeah:
Today in Labor History January 9, 1905: Russia’s “Bloody Sunday” occurred, with soldiers of the Imperial Guard opening fire on unarmed protesters as they marched toward the Winter Palace. They killed as many as 234 people and injured up to 800. They also arrested nearly 7,300 people. The people were demanding better working conditions and pay, an end to the Russo-Japanese War and universal suffrage. Bolsheviks and Mensheviks opposed the march because it lacked revolutionary demands. The public was so outraged by the massacre that uprisings broke out in Moscow, Warsaw, Riga, Vilna and other parts of the empire. Over 400,000 participated in a General Strike. Protests and uprisings continued for months. The backlash was horrific. The authorities killed 15,000 peasants and sent 45,000 into exile. Another 20,000 were seriously injured. Shostakovich’s 11th Symphony is subtitled “The Year 1905.” Maxim Gorky’s novel, “The Life of a Useless Man,” depicts Bloody Sunday.
Listening to Andrey Gugnin's album, Shostakovich: Preludes & Piano Sonatas, and I am conflicted about Gugnin's performance. The album received some great reviews, rewards, and nominations. However, I think that Gugnin only understands #Shostakovich as an intellectual, which he certainly was, but the performance seems to leave out soul. That being said, I would still recommend the album. The album is on sale at Presto Music until 11/27 #piano#DmitriShostakovich@classicalmusic@classicalpiano