Allegro non troppo

Composed in 1937, Dmitri Shostakovich’s "Symphony No. 5" in D Minor, Op. 47 is one of his most profound and politically charged works. The fourth movement, Allegro non troppo, serves as the symphony’s grand and forceful conclusion, marked by relentless drive, bold orchestration, and an unmistakable sense of urgency. Opening with a thunderous brass and percussion fanfare, the movement unfolds with powerful, march-like themes, creating a sense of both triumph and oppression. The symphony’s ambiguous ending-whether a declaration of victory or a veiled expression of defiance-has been widely debated, reflecting Shostakovich’s complex relationship with the Soviet regime. The movement’s sheer intensity and dramatic weight make it one of the most electrifying finales in the orchestral repertoire.
Ensemble: Stoneman Douglas Wind Symphony
Conductor: Alex Kaminsky
Parkland (FL) December 20, 2018