I see the resemblance, but Shostakovich was emaciated beyond belief, especially in his adult life. He was literally starving to death while writing this and many of his other compositions.
But I don't see the concertmaster violinist anywhere, like on the right side of the Shostakovich guy? (I'm not a musician) Edit: I’m now 2 weeks on the Violin, now I understand
A German orchestra and a Finnish conductor playing a piece dedicated to the suffering and liberation of Leningrad written by a Leningrader *during the siege led by Germans and the Finnish,* is the kind of endless irony you don't see every day. But it also shows that all the nations grew out of their turmoil and managed to be united by arts. It's amazingly played too, I must say.
I do not think that the Germans, Fins and others from among the so-called civilized peoples have abandoned the idea of conquering Russia. Actually, this war is their attempt No. 25. Only now they are afraid themselves, so they trained and bred a Ukrainian war dog for this case.
"all the nations ... managed to be united by the arts"??? Your comment was written recently so the irony is actually that many Germans hate the Russian people still and lead the other European countries in waging a war using Ukrainian proxies as I type. Perhaps only the Poles can come close to the Germans' support of the war against the Russian Federation. Open your ears man.
Shostakovich wrote this symphony with more instruments/musicians than what was standard in an orchestra at the time. He apparently did this because he knew members of the orchestra would get extra rations in the starving Leningrad, and the more people he could get in the orchestra, the more people he knew would be fed.
I can not stop crying, it's my 20th time listening this GREAT SYPHONY and every time I end up crying and sobbing. My maternal grandma was from Kyiv, she was miraculously evacuated to Urals. The other grandma from St. Petersburg (then Leningrad), endured the horrible winter of '41, the most darkest time of this beautiful city. How can I listen to this without tears, especially in 2024? It's heartbreaking, yet I cling to hope for something that seems impossible now - the mending of bonds between the great people of Ukraine and Russia.
I think this is one of the most beatiful works I have ever heard in my life, and this is a wonderful rendition, even better than Berstein`s Chicago. I enjoy it a lot more when I think about his history. It is amazing to talk to someone like u, so close to that. The ukraine-Russia war is a shame, Shosty would be sad. He was great, and a kind men, with all humanity.
The fact that this was first performed during the Nazi siege on Leningrad will never ceize to amaze me. Such a touching story of the performance of beautiful symphony at the height of the darkest times the soviet union had to endure. A powerful piece to raise hope against the scourge of fascism.
@@angryyordle4640да. И эту музыку слышали твои предки на другом берегу и поняли, что город им не взять, это было послание, которое наводили ужас на фашистов . Так что не смейте на нас рот раззеватьмошил на нашей земле всем хватит
Dude same. We’ve all been told conscription is on the cards in Europe. Ukraine is agonised. Gaza is hiding in a hole. Only this work can meet the emotional intensity of the situation. I’m writing this with tear drenched eyes 😅
If you ever visit Saint Petersburg you can often hear this symphony being played at the Memorial Cemetery. Half a million victims of the Siege of Leningrad are buried there. "No one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten."
for anyone interested in the history of this piece - i highly recommend the book “symphony for the city of the dead.” a masterful retelling of shostakovich’s life and the siege of leningrad
I read Leningrad: Siege & Symphony not long ago. It gives you a real feel, a little feeling anyway, of how absolutely awful and horrible it must have been to try to get through that time. It fills in the background to this astonishing piece.
I’m just a young man living in Petersburg (who was Leningrad for those who don’t know) and every time I hear this piece of art I wanna cry so badly. Every step that I make and every meter of my city was made with blood and talent of people like Shostakovich and millions of unnamed soldiers nurses fireman and so on. Because of this I’m really pleased that I can live in piece and hear this music. Glad to hear German orchestra playing this masterpiece making it immortal and international. It should remind us of how disgusting war is. Nothings forgotten. Nobody’s forgotten. Just live in peace wherever and whoever you are.
Well written, dear Russian friend! I cannot wait to visit your great city and get a little feeling of what you just described. This concert with Klaus is outstanding from every aspect and pays adequate tribute to Schostakowitsch. Many regards from Frankfurt! 👋
Stalin could have had people evacuated before the siege began but thought that it would be better to have them die there for inspirational purposes. That was the real dilemma of being a Russian in the first half of the twentieth century- if the Germans weren't trying to kill you, your leaders were.
@@Conn30MtenorI’m not that good in history but imho it was not only about inspiration ( even before the siege Soviet soldiers made their deeds) but in military and economical reasons (I mean there’re lots of and little time amount is one of them) Also Have to mention people who denied the opportunity to leave the city. And you’re right: to leave the city before the siege means to deserve and lose your war and lose your homeland.
The siege of Leningrad lasted 872 days, during which about 1 million people died or starved to death. On average, about 48 people died every hour in Leningrad. While the symphony orchestra was playing Shostakovich’s Leningrad Symphony, more than 80 people died from bombing and starvation in Leningrad. Remember this.
Almost 80 years removed from the tragic events a German orchestra conducted by a Finnish maestro plays this majestic symphony by a Russian composer. Just beautiful.
A reaction of someone who heard the first performance in starving Leningrad: "On the one hand I wanted to cry but at the same time there was a sense of pride. 'Damn you, we have an orchestra! We're at the Philharmonic Hall so you Germans stay where you are!' We were surrounded by Germans. They were shelling us, but there was this feeling of superiority." The end of the concert was greeted at first with silence. "And then suddenly there was a storm of applause," recalled Ksenia Matus. "A girl came up from the audience with a bunch of flowers. She gave them to the conductor. Can you imagine fresh garden flowers during the blockade? It was unbearably joyful."
Despite the bloody siege and unfathomable turmoil, Leningrad had always stayed what it always was - The cradle of Russian culture. Even in the worst of times, the museums were maintianed and symphonies played in halls. Freshly made ones at that, *within* the bounds of the besieged and suffering city!
This conductor was 22-23 in this video.... It's crazy how the prodigies are getting younger and younger, damn. He did a brilliant job! They all did. Beautiful recording too, much more even than some others I've seen, now I don't have to fiddle with the volume so much.
Hello there! My grandmother told me that she saw Mr. Shostakovich when she was walking not far away from Leningrad Academic Philharmonic (now St. Petersburg Academic Philharmonic) but she was embarrassed to ask for an autograph. So, I think there were really good and blessed people in Leningrad in 20th century. Thank you Mr. Klaus for this performance of the greatest starving Leningrad symphony! I enjoyed it.
This conductor will save classical music in future. He is not only genius but goes straight into the heart of music. Makela's expressions are abundant, dimensional, clearly and colorfully detailed, and truthful indeed. I heard seldom this magnificent Russian sounds from refined European Orchestras. Makela, merely 23 years old, already tried... some of his goal of sounds. I am thrilled for his future.
I listened to this symphony for the first time, and I cried. The deep emotion in this piece, combined with the story behind it and even the fact that the conductor looks so much like Shostakovich creates an overwhelming sensation. You won't find any Shostakovichs' in this day and age. Nobody can match him. It's tragic how so many young people these days don't even know about classical music, much less the great Dmitri Shostakovich... I'm 13 years old, and I'm so blessed to be able to listen to his beautiful music! Shosty, you will never be forgotten ❤
thank you for your comment. I was born in Leningrad and my grandparents died during the siege, my father survived and eventually evacuated from the city. He was separated from his younger sister who was evacuated to a different region and we still don’t know what happened to her later.
@@irinavladi370 What a sad story.... I follow the Blockade History and have Russian Friends and cannot believe the horrors they went through. May God have Mercy on Mankind. ... This music enriches my soul.
Young people are now obsessed with either shaking their butts or looking at butts being shaken. That's how low we've sunk. And, as far as classical music goes, most composers are obsessed with UGLINESS...meaning, atonality, or, as I call it, diarrhea. Anton Bruckner, Sibelius, Shostakovich...these were the last great ones. Beauty is dead.
Really? Would love to meet him! What a civilized dignified looking audience, conductor, and players. I want to move to Europe from America...(USA = these days lack of morals, kindness, good culture, depth, dignity, mindfulness....and I have lived here practically all my life!
@@lotusbuds2000 Have faith in your judicial system, and your great nation...as slow and imperfect as it is the American constitution and all the positive things and freedoms it represents is not yet 'irrevocably' besmirched or dishonoured in the eyes of many of its people its allies and the world......the end of so many long tortuous days of Trumps' corrupt administration are surely nigh !...to quote a certain Cenk Ugur, founder and host of the 'progressive' left leaning media channel 'The Young Turks' ..."...tick tick tick, ! tick tick tick !"... If there is any justice Bernie Sanders (and Jeremy Corbyn in the UK) will restore integrity, and a generous measure of much needed social justice to their nations, and people ! Hope springs eternal eh , my friend ? ;-)
@@milesfarrimond2445 I admire your sentiments, but Bernie Sanders will not get elected if he wins the primary (which is highly doubtful in its own right). His policies are too radical and infeasible.
@@pyroVoid There is absolutely nothin infeasible in his policies, but it is true that America is to immature to admit that what has worked in Northern European country is exactly what they need to tackle the grotesque inequality that plague your country...
So? Magnus Carlsen became World Chess Champion at the age of 22. Many great achievements have been recorded by men and women younger than this conductor.
I have not been this stunned by a conductor and an orchestra in close to 50 years. The Leningrad is an extremely difficult piece to maintain all its lines and not let it sag in the middle. Neither young Mäkelä nor the orchestra missed a turn. What can I say? I can't. I was hypnotized. The string playing was spectacular, but so were the winds, brass, and percussion. I'll remember this performance of the Leningrad Symphony for a long, long time! Bravi tutti!!
I love the Frankfurt Radio Symphony's recordings - the sound quality is excellent and the filming of these concerts is also impeccable; you really get some very interesting, sharp images (such as the overhead shots of the pianist at 12:55 to focus our attention on what to be listening out for), and the transitions between wide shots and closeups on the conductor are terrific. They make watching a classical concert even more engaging than it would otherwise have been in real life, and their selection of music is always bombastic and dynamic, making for some great musical discoveries
@@manolopresas4799 or even people like me, those who can barely read a single bar but can do memorize such one hour of shostakovich concertos and can predict the next note by heart. Well, I confess a can do that after listening a work 20 times, but a think it gives me a chance to be a real Shostakovich fan. Best wishes from Brazil
Mr Kessler, May I recommend to you the Sinfonica de Galicia, where the camera, editors and sound are the best I have heard. In particular you may want to listen Mahler 3, which is in my view the very best interpretation.
He is meditating, he is praying, u can see he is obsessed with music and it has actually grown into him and infiltrated all his senses. This concert is the definition of perfection...
Yes indeed ! He certainly did him proud George ! ...What an impassioned yet wonderfully disciplined performance this was and what at real treat for the audience ! Its so wonderful that so great a live performance of this work was recorded for posterity, and uploaded for us all to witness and enjoy,. Also dare I say that this was a kind of eloquent statement of 'reconciliation' so powerfully delivered. And with the clear message that evils of war and totalitarianism must be consigned to the past !
I'm here on Mäkelä's birthday in 2024 to celebrate his brilliance with this beautiful recording!! I have seen it already a couple of times but it's still super exciting to watch! Thank you, Klaus Mäkelä, and thanks to all the great musicians in the hr-Sinfonie Orchester, greetings from the Rheingau!
OK, lets all take a deep breath and let the comparisons of Mr. Makela's appearance to Shostakovich and his youth slip away so that we can realize that this is a remarkable performance by a young, highly gifted conductor and a world class orchestra in a great hall with extremely capable video and audio capture. This might very well be my favorite version of this complicated and misunderstood piece.
@@BeethovenChannel His secret is to keep distance. Like a waiter to the customer. He does not push anybody. The main secret, however, is not a secret : the hr symphony orchestra is magnificent
The one released on Naxos in the early 90s was pretty bloody epic too. I'm sorry I can't be more specific than that. I have the CD, but haven't listened to it for years. Listening to this now though, and loving it - although some of the choices by the horn players and the string section sound, well, different to how I remember them. A little wobbly and hazy in places, I'd say out of tune but that's obviously not it....hope you know what I'm trying to get at. Magnificent clarinet sound though....
How do people not cry playing or listening to this? I won't stand a second before sobbing. It's so overwhelming to think what this meant to millions and still does. ❤️❤️ much love and peace
7:08 - 21:15 In August, 1941 Schostakowitsch wrote: "I don't know fate of this thing, a leisured critics will probably reproach me for imitating Ravel's Bolero. Let them reproach, but this is how I hear the war."
The story of the Leningrad Symphony's first performance, in 1942, in Leningrad under siege from the Germans, is heartrending. The people of Leningrad were starving, dying. Insufficient musicians remained to play the symphony which requires 100. The Soviet military ordered regular soldiers, if they were musicians, to report to Leningrad to play this symphony. Loudspeakers were assembled so not only the people of the city could hear, but to allow the Germans besieging them to listen. We in the West have no idea how Russians have borne suffering. This huge symphony is always called the Leningrad. The German soldiers wondered that these people could produce such music.
Да, это всегда потрясает. Зная историю создания, слышишь ее совсем по другому. Очень знаковое произведение для людей, которые знают про блокаду Ленинграда.
@@Sary_Azman whatever the initial intent, the symphony was first performed in Leningrad in 1942 during the siege and will forever be associated with this tragedy.
I love this piece for so many reasons. You must know the history behind the composition to understand it. Then, being a former professional clarinetist, the E flat clarinet solo is fearless! And the piccolo playing is magnificent. Among many other things, you must give props to the guys who played the same rhythm on the snare drum in the first movement for about 10 minutes straight. Who else can produce a 10 minute crescendo??? Amazing job.
In answer to your question, listen to the drummer in this recording. 17 minutes of vigorous work, the work contains the longest drum solo that I am aware of. ruclips.net/video/ZCkHanF4v1w/видео.html
This symphony was written in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) during the blockade in World War II. Shostakovich held the blockade for 4 months and arranged concerts to support the residents of the city.
Shostakovich was actually sent to Kuybyshev (now called Samara) for refuge while Leningrad was under siege. Sergey Bablykov made a video of a visit to this city on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the premiere of this symphony by the same orchestra, the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra. Interesting video. ruclips.net/video/yF3p_w2PU14/видео.html
@@pauly5418 From Wiki: The composer wrote the first three movements in Leningrad and completed the work in Kuibyshev (now Samara), where he and his family had been evacuated.
@@TrueSonOfOdin Yeah but the siege started when he had almost finished the third movement so very little, if not none, of the piece was actually written during the siege. He was too busy as a volunteer fireman!
@@Killerbee4712 He did often do a few things right. This poor (richly rewarded) composer, never seemed to be able to ever decide which mood he wanted to indulge in; Bright,Dull, Bright Dull--no thanks, we can go to Stravinsky or back to Mozart. Gave it another try; still confusing lack of any memorable melodies.
My grandmother stayed in Leningrad throughout the blockade, working. She buried two sisters. One died of starvation, the other burned down when a bomb hit the house. And my grandfather defended Leningrad on Nevsky pyatachke. He died in Konigsberg in 45 in April. A month did not live to win. Another grandfather returned with a shell fragment in his leg, the fragment was before his death in 1994.... Thank you to everyone who defended my hometown!
I have been listening to so many orchestras and conductors play this work for almost 40 years and finally I heard a real Shostakovich. Mäkelä is a magician like there has never been one before. I can't stop listening to his version.
This kid is a *brilliant* conductor. Incredible precision and clarity - although that may be in part thanks to the Frankfurt auditorium and technical expertise, as someone has pointed out - yet great sensitivity and POWER. Some of his mannerisms are almost Austin Powers but are actually very enjoyably expressive and directive. *He* obviously *enjoys* directing this long, demanding piece, and the orchestra clearly *likes* him and is with him and playing for him, and they are indeed making BEAUTIFUL music together and the best performance of the 7th I have yet heard. GREAT performance! :-)
Lou Coatney I can’t fault the product, but that shit move he gave the cellos 30 seconds in-the side elbow flick-almost made me fall off my couch laughing.
The first times I saw him performing I had an instant rejection due to his mannerisms. But hearing the orchestras when he conducts is another matter and I fully agree. He always delivers great performances. It reminds me of the precision and clearness of my favorite conductor: Claudio Abbado.
Given the history of this symphony and the conditions under which it was first performed, I find it heartwarming that it is being played here by a fine German orchestra, conducted by a young Finn. Superb job all around!
I never thought much of Uncle Joe. And, I hated Lavrenti Beria. I detested his purges of Russia's talented young military officers. But, he did save (perhaps) Dmitri's life when he ordered him to Moscow to finish this symphony. Phew!
@@vijaykrishnan7797 So,in short terms,the symphony begun being written in Leningrad,the Author was shipped out when the city came under siege to complete the symphony,he did,and it premiered while being played by survivors of the siege,some in horrid conditions. And yet,they played,turning the symphony into a symbol of both the soviet populace's sheer resilience and of the struggle against Fascism,being played by all form of allied orchestras. Its popularity kind of faded since then,but it's still emblematic.
@@vijaykrishnan7797 the debut of this performance was also on the night the nazis had planned to breach Leningrad after forcing it under siege for over a year
Imagine what Leningrad people felt that moment they heard this masterpiece. They felt power, strength from nothing, anger, pride and a huge willingness to WIN. And they WON. As a Russian, I am proud to carry on the memory of my great ancestors. Thank to Red Army and brave Soviet people (all the republics not only Russian Republic). I will never forget this heroic deed.
@@ndhtyuyou just put in words my same thoughts. My father was sent to a forced labour camp as one of Hitler's slaves. From there, to die in a concentration camp from where he was freed by Russian's Red Army. I would not be here otherwise. The commemoration of the 80 th anniversary of the D Day without even mentioning Russia, was a disgrace.
@@alesssndromanzoni2920 Russia might not have been invited to the D-Day celebrations because they did not participate in the D-Day landings. Also they are currently engaged in an imperialist war. Just a thought
Спасибо! Эта музыка--это не борьба "кого-то с кем-то", но "Борьба и Победа Добра над Злом". И вдохновенная работа оркестра и Дирижёра лучшее тому подтверждение. BRAVO!
Parts of the symphony Comparative to Incidents and battles 0:30-7:13 Leningrad theme (Invasion of France,Molotov ribbentrop pact,winter war) 7:13-16:25 Invasion theme (Operation Babarossa) 16:25-29:15 Theme of Resistance (Siege of Leningrad) 29:15-34:10 Second movements theme (Battle of Kiev,Minsk,Sevastopol) 34:10-40:55 Blood and Terror theme (Battle for Moscow) 40:55-49:15 Theme of The countryside (Winter Counter offensive) 49:15-1:01:11 third movement B theme (Battle of Stalingrad,Untenehmen Fall blau) 1:01:11-1:12:07 4th movement themes (Operation Uranus,Operation Little saturn) 1:12:07-1:16:00 Change in key (Operation citadel,Battle of kursk,Battle of Kharkiv) 1:16:00 build up for victory theme (Soviet Counter offensive after kursk,Relive of the Siege of Leningrad,The symphonies Leningrad Premiere) 1:17:56 Victory theme (First time) (Operation Bagration,Recapturing Kiev,Recapturing Minsk, Collapse of german army group north and center) 1:18:39 Victory theme (Finale) (Battle for Berlin,Liberation of Yugoslavia,Operation Overlord,Defection of the Balkans,German surrender)
while this looks good, one wonders at this "interpretation" considering the 7th was written in 1941 before many of the events you mention happened ... and yet, I'll accept it because you believe in this work as "prophetic" ...which in a sense it was
According to the biographer Solomon Volkov (from interviews with Shostakovich), this symphony reflects the terror of Stalin's government before the war and the dream of a free post-Stalin Russia. It is not really about the war, that was just what the later propaganda claimed. Today it could reflect the terror of Putin's regime, as yet another case of universal lack of taste and stupidity. And also the imagination of a possible free Russia post Putin.
@@shippi3899 Реками слёз можно выразить,пролитые гражданами СССР,..слёз,которые доныне сливаются в океан скорби и негодования и выльются в очередное справедливое возмездие уже на Евросоюз и США
Leute ,,,,,,ich wollte mit meinem Kommentar nur zum Ausdruck bringen wie grossartig ich die Musik von Schosta finde ,,,,,und keine politische Debate lostreten,,,, ,,,,,bitte ,,,,,,,,streitet euch woanders,,,,ich möchte nicht Politik mit Musik vermischen ,,,,,meine Absicht ist vor dem genialen Schosta einen Hut zu ziehen!
I was born in 1990 in Leningrad(nowadays St Petersburg) and I cant listen to the 7th symphony without tears. Germans destroyed many men but they didn't destroy our souls. Memory about this hell will be passed through generations till the last Russian alive.
Русские забыли, к сожалению. "Можем повторить", ага. Да ни один фронтовик никогда в жизни не произнёс бы "можем повторить". И никогда девятое мая не праздновали как праздник какой-то, только вспоминали войну как большое горе, даже Сталин на эту человеческую память не посягал. А теперь Петербург - "побратим" блокадного Мариуполя, где люди воду из луж пили, а на парадах ездят ядерные боеголовки. "Бессмертный полк" огосударственили, осквернили, превратили в фарс, а тепепь доигрались до того, что приходится самим запрещать. Все забыли, что только могли, растоптали и бросили, превратили в наклейки на машинах и мемориальные таблички "героям" из Вагнера. Надо будет вспоминать потом заново, рефлексировать и ВОВ тоже в общественном сознании, чтобы повторялка отпала, чтобы не позорить ни память, ни героев той войны, ни Шостаковича, которого запрещал один кремлёвский дед.
@@vampyroteuthidae. рефлексируй себе на здоровье, нас только не заставляй. Ты, часом, сейчас не в стране ли, "которая не воюет с соседями"? Понятно, почему для тебя 9 Мая - траурный день.))) А для нас - Праздник.
@@MsSeverozapad хватит размазывать сопли по воспоминаниям о блокаде. Одного Мариуполя хватит, чтоб заткнуть пасть таким страдальцам, как ты. И, кстати, я не на той стороне и не в той стране. Нарисуй себе z на лбу и любуйся на себя в зеркало, проклятый рашист. Ты и такие как ты, губят не только Украину. Вы лишили будущего Россию, мою родину, какой бы она ни была. Будь проклят, рашист и тебе подобные!
Well, I listened this performance 4 times after each and I still wish to listen it again and again. Phenomenal symphony I do adore this orchestra truly and I think this special concert with a wonderful triangle between the composition of Shostakovitch, the Hr Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt and the genius young conductor, Mr Klaus Makela brought unforgettable hours to the classical music - enthusiasts. Big congratulations to all of the instrumentalist and the conductor too. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, I know he is a Shostakovich look alike, and the orchestra is so powerful. The young conductor's energy and style is grasping. Bravo, Klaus Mäkelä and Leningrad Symphony! On the Leningrad website, not listed, so I assume one time guest conductor. Bravo! (Videography is superb, too; and I love how they kept the entire applause, credits, and flowers on video for us to see.)
Brilliant, brilliant music composed by the great Shostakovich. The struggle of the brave people of Leningrad in 1941 against the forces of fascism is superbly and enthrallingly encapsulated in this stirring and dramatic music. Shostakovich was a citizen of Leningrad so this is one of the most personal of his works. Superb performance by the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Великолепное исполнение.Дирижер большой мастер. Тема войны великого народа и победы отражена в симфонии Шостаковича сочно.прекрасно. Браво дирижеру и оркестру.Бывший дирижер .
It is always a great pleasure seen such confidence in a young, talented musician like Mäkelä as he has been conducting great orchestras since his birth. I've been watching some interviews on his background and I was amazed with his intelligence and education! Congratulations Mäkelä!
Take a good conductor - one with obviously enormous talent - match him up with this orchestra - sit back, listen carefully, and go with it. What a wonderful experience.
Klaus Mäkelä is Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra Born: 17 January 1996 (age 25 years), Helsinki, Finland [so 23 for this recording] Damn that's impressive.
Every time I hear something about this event I realise it was truly one of the greatest achievements of mankind ever seen. How they haven't made a film of it is beyond me.
Громкой овации , стоя 1942 году не могло быть. У голодных людей не было сил громко хлопать в ладоши.Эти овации называли" шелестом осенних листьев".Немцы так же могли слушать эту трансляцию,после они поняли, что НИКОГДА не смогут победить русских. Жаль,что опять забыли.....
For me, Shostakovich's personal agony is more palpable and visceral in this symphony than any other. For years I found it almost unbearable to listen to. Now I love it. And in this performance with an energetic young conductor and a world-class orchestra, it's almost unbearable again but in a good way. Brava tutti. Wonderful performance.
He is one of the hardest composers; and also the symphony was written during the beginning of the siege of Leningrad. Germans were bombing the city; and many people starved to death.
@@MarinaSamoylovich Yes. I'm aware of its history. That, for me, is what makes it all the more remarkable. The 5th is the same, in a way... writing such grand and imposing music while under such personal attacks by the Soviet authorities. Thank you for the comment.
Pure soul and culture of the slavic people expressed through music. Noting the diversity here - Russian music, German orchestra, Finnish conductor. Beautiful.
The first movement march in this performance is positively nauseating. There is an almost Mahlerian curdled sarcasm to any bit of it that could sound triumphal. Clearer than ever is that the march is a hellscape animated by perverse forces, and nothing about it is glorious. I can't think of any performance that made this clearer. Bravo!
А дирижёр очень внешне похож на Шостаковича. Такое ощущение, что Шостакович воскрес и лично решил встать к дирижёрскому пюпитеру и исполнить собственное великое произведение
@@МатвейКитов-о9л нет. В музыке Шостаковича скорее ощущается влияние немецкой композиторской школы в духе Рихарда Вагнера и Густава Малера. Послушайте, например, Полет Валькирий Вагнера и вы поймёте, откуда растут корни музыки Шостаковича. Равно также чувствуется влияние Модеста Мусоргского и прочих русских композиторов-передвижников. Если вы хотите услышать нечто общее с Морисом Равелем и прочими французскими композиторами, то лучше послушайте Прокофьева. Ну а в музыке Хачатуряна явно чувствуется американские джазовые нотки в стиле Гершвина
Busy life sometimes makes us forget the importance of relaxation. But this video reminds me that we need to take time for ourselves, relax and enjoy moments like these.
He did often do a few things right. This poor (richly rewarded) composer, never seemed to be able to ever decide which mood he wanted to indulge in; Bright,Dull, Bright Dull--no thanks, we can go to Stravinsky or back to Mozart. Gave it another try; still confusing lack of any memorable melodies.
This is my favorite version of Shostakovich’s 7th symphony. With great conductor and great orchestra!! What a talent! Respect and love from south korea
Amazing performance, so dramatic and yet soulful, love to look at him as he conducts, he lives it, he feels it, has so much charisma. Great orchestra...
Dude is 25 😔 while the rest of us achieve mere mediocrity, dude is conducting one of the world’s best orchestras and world’s most amazing symphonies and absolutely killing it. How could I have done more with my life?!
You don't know what you're talking about. This symphony is awful and Shostakovich wrote it that way on purpose. It's obviously sarcastic and poorly written as an FU to the Soviet censors. Very mediocre bland music, but intentionally.
@@severusbandaya As a symbol against the revolting fascism and totalitarianism that was rife in the 30's, this was a tour de force. I'm sorry you find it bland. I couldn't disagree more, but as a wind player, we rather appreciate the long sparse evocative solos but I appreciate that others might have differing opinions. Intentionally bland? Don't think so. Don't know what I'm talking about? Don't think so. I have a fairly good degree from a fairly good university, and I play to a fairly high level on several instruments, so regardless of whether you agree with me or not, continue to be Schmelly Bandaid by name (handle), Schmelly Bandaid by nature.
@@garrysmodsketches Yes I have. There was I thinking I was a member of the congnoscenti! I feel you are on the cusp of imparting some wonderful information here. On the cusp of greatness. Don’t let us down!
One of the most impressive recordings and videos I have found here on RUclips. I have only praise for this orchestra and conductor and the technicians who made this happen. Thank you.
This piece is so full of power and life affirming energy. The story of Leningrad during the blockade is a true symbol for the will of the human spirit to endure in spite of suffering and desperation. So many moments of terror and desolation are met with moments of optimism and hope, and in the end there is true triumph and victory. I myself have been suffering with chronic illness for years. I find myself returning to this song to summon the will of the people Leningrad, who survived their most desperate hour after suffering for so long. Like Shostakovich's 7th, I feel I am stuck in a long and wondering middle section... a bit of a wasteland in my body and my soul. Though I still am so full of hope and optimism. Still so full of life despite these circumstances and I truly look forward to my moment of victory, just as Shostakovich's 4th movement ends with triumphant victory for the people of Leningrad and for all of the USSR.
According to the biographer Solomon Volkov (from interviews with Shostakovich), this symphony reflects the terror of Stalin's government before the war and the dream of a free post-Stalin Russia. It is not really about the war, that was just what the later propaganda claimed. Today it could reflect the terror of Putin's regime, as yet another case of universal lack of taste and stupidity. And also the imagination of a possible free Russia post Putin.
One of the best symphonies I have watched on RUclips. except for the music itself and the message it gives. The performers do a great job here. I am also impressed by Mr. Mäkelä's work. He is only 28 and he does such a great job. Lucky you younger people who can enjoy his works for decades to come. I think the camera crew did an unforgettable work here, thank you!
Powerful performance brilliantly played. I've read where this symphony received a lot of negative press in the West when it was first performed there. I guess that's probably because it wasn't avant-garde enough for the critics at the time. Time is always the best judge and now it's readily accepted as a major mid 20th c composition by the greatest symphonic composer of that century.
@@TheLogicBeast the message I hear from this music is the following: even if the people were starving under the siege of Leningrad, even they were frozen to death, even if musicians were dying during rehearsals, the communist spirit of the Soviet man triumphs over the evil forces of Fascism. Shostakovich needed a work to rehabilitate himself, the case being the following: after the 4th Symphony, he wrote the 5th one, in a more traditional sense. After the 6th, he wrote the 7th, hence this symphony. After the 9th, which parodies the symbolism of the 9th Symphony in the history of European music, he wrote the 10th, dedicated to Lenin. The message of this music lies in the Soviet narrative of the communist man that crushes any opposition. Needless to say, the music is quite banal. If it did convinced even Toscanini to conduct it ( yeah, the same guy which refrained himself from conducting modern music), it should speak about the backwards quality this symphony. The reason why it is so popular is of that: it is written to be popular. Diatonic melodies, filmscore-like dramatism, pretty conventional harmonies, the rhythm is mostly steady, and the Bolero-like theme of the first movement is a nice catch of public hearing, since it repeats itself. That is to say, have a nice day and I am here for you rebuttal or opinion!! Cheers!!
Shostakovich really got sick and tired of everyone messing up his piece so he got out of the grave and conducted it himself
Lmao this one is good
Thank God I'm not the only one who caught the resemblance.
I see the resemblance, but Shostakovich was emaciated beyond belief, especially in his adult life. He was literally starving to death while writing this and many of his other compositions.
Ok, and which version would you recommand ?
Шостакович сам через всё это прошёл, он всё пропустил через себя.
Composers you'll see in this performance:
Shostakovich - the conductor
Debussy - the flautist
Mahler - the concertmaster violinist
Yeah you're right concertmaster is just like mahler
But I don't see the concertmaster violinist anywhere, like on the right side of the Shostakovich guy? (I'm not a musician)
Edit: I’m now 2 weeks on the Violin, now I understand
The flautist reminds me a bit of Dvorak too.
@@NotReallyRussel 2:41
@@xavierwainwright8799 absolutely, he does look like Dvorak.
A German orchestra and a Finnish conductor playing a piece dedicated to the suffering and liberation of Leningrad written by a Leningrader *during the siege led by Germans and the Finnish,* is the kind of endless irony you don't see every day. But it also shows that all the nations grew out of their turmoil and managed to be united by arts. It's amazingly played too, I must say.
Great comment......BRAVO from Acapulco!
I do not think that the Germans, Fins and others from among the so-called civilized peoples have abandoned the idea of conquering Russia. Actually, this war is their attempt No. 25. Only now they are afraid themselves, so they trained and bred a Ukrainian war dog for this case.
Москва рядом
Toutes les nations, vraiment ? d'Europe ? comprises les nations à son Est ? Biélorussie, Russie ? et "russo-asiatiques" ?
"all the nations ... managed to be united by the arts"??? Your comment was written recently so the irony is actually that many Germans hate the Russian people still and lead the other European countries in waging a war using Ukrainian proxies as I type. Perhaps only the Poles can come close to the Germans' support of the war against the Russian Federation. Open your ears man.
It's wonderful to see such a co-production: Shostakovich himself conducting and Debussy as solo flute.
Haha
🤣
And Mahler as the first violin.
what a trio
the flute seems also like sigmund freud.. they're bringing some philosophical aspects in here
Conducted by Shostakovich himself apparently...
Exactly what I intended to write, damn you were faster ;).
@@philippenobili Dude's got the same glasses and everything hahaha
C'est vrai que la ressemblance est troublante ;-)
I was going to write something else, this is just too funny.
O maestro tem a mesma fisionomia do jovem Shostakovich!!!
Shostakovich wrote this symphony with more instruments/musicians than what was standard in an orchestra at the time. He apparently did this because he knew members of the orchestra would get extra rations in the starving Leningrad, and the more people he could get in the orchestra, the more people he knew would be fed.
Music litteraly save lives ;)
Fascinating. I have been familiar with this symphony since 1983 and I never heard that.
could you give me any literature to read about this history? thanks
That's utter crap.
There was no special priorities on rations.
@@Bob31415 you've never heard it because it's a lie.
So cool that they got Shostakovich himself to conduct. The lengths people will go to put on a good performance is inspiring.
😂 too true
Мравинский круче
Can we just take a minute to admire the camera work and quality-
Yessssss !!!! Applause
Excelente!!!!! 👏👏👏👏
yes, please!!
Specially 10:22 is a masterpiece :)))))
@@sinamirmahmoud7606 Or 46:48 :)
I can not stop crying, it's my 20th time listening this GREAT SYPHONY and every time I end up crying and sobbing. My maternal grandma was from Kyiv, she was miraculously evacuated to Urals. The other grandma from St. Petersburg (then Leningrad), endured the horrible winter of '41, the most darkest time of this beautiful city.
How can I listen to this without tears, especially in 2024? It's heartbreaking, yet I cling to hope for something that seems impossible now - the mending of bonds between the great people of Ukraine and Russia.
I think this is one of the most beatiful works I have ever heard in my life, and this is a wonderful rendition, even better than Berstein`s Chicago. I enjoy it a lot more when I think about his history. It is amazing to talk to someone like u, so close to that. The ukraine-Russia war is a shame, Shosty would be sad. He was great, and a kind men, with all humanity.
The fact that this was first performed during the Nazi siege on Leningrad will never ceize to amaze me. Such a touching story of the performance of beautiful symphony at the height of the darkest times the soviet union had to endure. A powerful piece to raise hope against the scourge of fascism.
@@angryyordle4640да. И эту музыку слышали твои предки на другом берегу и поняли, что город им не взять, это было послание, которое наводили ужас на фашистов . Так что не смейте на нас рот раззеватьмошил на нашей земле всем хватит
Dude same. We’ve all been told conscription is on the cards in Europe. Ukraine is agonised. Gaza is hiding in a hole. Only this work can meet the emotional intensity of the situation. I’m writing this with tear drenched eyes 😅
They've been at war off and on since 900 CE. This too will pass
A Russian composer, a German orchestra and conducted by a Finn. I can picture Dmitri listening off to the side....smiling.
And to top it off, a recorded performance of exceptional clarity.
poor shostakovich was forced to write a parade piece on the theme of finland during winter war
Now I want Tchaikovskys Ouverture 1812 by French orchestra conducted by a German. With cannons of course!
@@aleksandaraleksic4067 French... you don't want cannons, they'll inevitably end up being German.
@@aleksandaraleksic4067 who doesn't.
If you ever visit Saint Petersburg you can often hear this symphony being played at the Memorial Cemetery.
Half a million victims of the Siege of Leningrad are buried there.
"No one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten."
Especially Piskaryovka cemetary - each square is 20k citizen
no one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten
I once visited this cemetery ( 1977 ) City named Leningrad, in those days. Nevertheless very humbling experience.
I live in U.K.
Peace to all !!
Who don't cry in The Saint Peterburg Memorial?
Will do
That's chilling.
for anyone interested in the history of this piece - i highly recommend the book “symphony for the city of the dead.” a masterful retelling of shostakovich’s life and the siege of leningrad
Спасибо, я почитаю!
Thanks to share this content with us 😁👍🏻
I read Leningrad: Siege & Symphony not long ago. It gives you a real feel, a little feeling anyway, of how absolutely awful and horrible it must have been to try to get through that time. It fills in the background to this astonishing piece.
This is how I heard of shostakovich and his amazing pieces
I have just read that book.(by M.T. Anderon) Highly recommend!
From South Korea
I’m just a young man living in Petersburg (who was Leningrad for those who don’t know) and every time I hear this piece of art I wanna cry so badly. Every step that I make and every meter of my city was made with blood and talent of people like Shostakovich and millions of unnamed soldiers nurses fireman and so on. Because of this I’m really pleased that I can live in piece and hear this music. Glad to hear German orchestra playing this masterpiece making it immortal and international. It should remind us of how disgusting war is. Nothings forgotten. Nobody’s forgotten. Just live in peace wherever and whoever you are.
Хорошо сказали.
Well written, dear Russian friend!
I cannot wait to visit your great city and get a little feeling of what you just described.
This concert with Klaus is outstanding from every aspect and pays adequate tribute to Schostakowitsch.
Many regards from Frankfurt! 👋
You made me cry. And amen to your message.
Stalin could have had people evacuated before the siege began but thought that it would be better to have them die there for inspirational purposes. That was the real dilemma of being a Russian in the first half of the twentieth century- if the Germans weren't trying to kill you, your leaders were.
@@Conn30MtenorI’m not that good in history but imho it was not only about inspiration ( even before the siege Soviet soldiers made their deeds) but in military and economical reasons (I mean there’re lots of and little time amount is one of them) Also Have to mention people who denied the opportunity to leave the city. And you’re right: to leave the city before the siege means to deserve and lose your war and lose your homeland.
I clicked the video beacuse I saw Shostakovich conducting in 2019.
I believe that was Maxim if it was live in 2019.
@@oleflogger6828 it's someone called Klaus
Unfortunately Shostakovich died in 1975 of lung cancer.
twas a joke ya diddly bafoons
No ,indeed it is DSCH - he got bored de-composing
The siege of Leningrad lasted 872 days, during which about 1 million people died or starved to death. On average, about 48 people died every hour in Leningrad. While the symphony orchestra was playing Shostakovich’s Leningrad Symphony, more than 80 people died from bombing and starvation in Leningrad. Remember this.
😢сегодня 80лет, окончания блокады. Этого нельзя забыть, не имеем право
17:16 That little precious smirk by the percussionist made my day 🥺
I. 0:28
II. 29:14
III. 40:50
IV. 1:01:12
thx !
I'ma ruin the 420 likes :)
APPRECIATE MILLION TIMES
Legend
What does this mean?
Almost 80 years removed from the tragic events a German orchestra conducted by a Finnish maestro plays this majestic symphony by a Russian composer. Just beautiful.
A reaction of someone who heard the first performance in starving Leningrad: "On the one hand I wanted to cry but at the same time there was a sense of pride. 'Damn you, we have an orchestra! We're at the Philharmonic Hall so you Germans stay where you are!' We were surrounded by Germans. They were shelling us, but there was this feeling of superiority."
The end of the concert was greeted at first with silence.
"And then suddenly there was a storm of applause," recalled Ksenia Matus. "A girl came up from the audience with a bunch of flowers. She gave them to the conductor. Can you imagine fresh garden flowers during the blockade? It was unbearably joyful."
This was the roar of an undaunted spirit ready to fight to it's last breath. The soul of that original performance will never be forgotten.
Yes, absolutely. The people were in tatters. He was a hero of the republic...and, consequently, the world.
The applause lasted for an hour
@@jackminto7062 So did the concert hall amirite boys haha-
Despite the bloody siege and unfathomable turmoil, Leningrad had always stayed what it always was - The cradle of Russian culture. Even in the worst of times, the museums were maintianed and symphonies played in halls. Freshly made ones at that, *within* the bounds of the besieged and suffering city!
This conductor was 22-23 in this video.... It's crazy how the prodigies are getting younger and younger, damn. He did a brilliant job! They all did. Beautiful recording too, much more even than some others I've seen, now I don't have to fiddle with the volume so much.
Not really. It was bad. m.ruclips.net/video/9Yq3aryJdng/видео.html
it's fitting because Dmitri Shostakovich himself was apparently good at conducting orchestra at a young age
Hello there! My grandmother told me that she saw Mr. Shostakovich when she was walking not far away from Leningrad Academic Philharmonic (now St. Petersburg Academic Philharmonic) but she was embarrassed to ask for an autograph. So, I think there were really good and blessed people in Leningrad in 20th century. Thank you Mr. Klaus for this performance of the greatest starving Leningrad symphony! I enjoyed it.
This conductor will save classical music in future. He is not only genius but goes straight into the heart of music. Makela's expressions are abundant, dimensional, clearly and colorfully detailed, and truthful indeed. I heard seldom this magnificent Russian sounds from refined European Orchestras. Makela, merely 23 years old, already tried... some of his goal of sounds. I am thrilled for his future.
Well said Edward !
I love how everyone saves their coughing for the breaks like GOOD AUDIENCE MEMBERS. respect
I listened to this symphony for the first time, and I cried. The deep emotion in this piece, combined with the story behind it and even the fact that the conductor looks so much like Shostakovich creates an overwhelming sensation. You won't find any Shostakovichs' in this day and age. Nobody can match him. It's tragic how so many young people these days don't even know about classical music, much less the great Dmitri Shostakovich... I'm 13 years old, and I'm so blessed to be able to listen to his beautiful music! Shosty, you will never be forgotten ❤
Indeed, he will never be forgotten ❤
❤️
thank you for your comment. I was born in Leningrad and my grandparents died during the siege, my father survived and eventually evacuated from the city. He was separated from his younger sister who was evacuated to a different region and we still don’t know what happened to her later.
@@irinavladi370 What a sad story.... I follow the Blockade History and have Russian Friends and cannot believe the horrors they went through. May God have Mercy on Mankind. ... This music enriches my soul.
Young people are now obsessed with either shaking their butts or looking at butts being shaken. That's how low we've sunk.
And, as far as classical music goes, most composers are obsessed with UGLINESS...meaning, atonality, or, as I call it, diarrhea.
Anton Bruckner, Sibelius, Shostakovich...these were the last great ones.
Beauty is dead.
Not only is he one of the most talented young conductors, he is a very good cellist and super nice person!
Really? Would love to meet him! What a civilized dignified looking audience, conductor, and players. I want to move to Europe from America...(USA = these days lack of morals, kindness, good culture, depth, dignity, mindfulness....and I have lived here practically all my life!
@@lotusbuds2000 Have faith in your judicial system, and your great nation...as slow and imperfect as it is the American constitution and all the positive things and freedoms it represents is not yet 'irrevocably' besmirched or dishonoured in the eyes of many of its people its allies and the world......the end of so many long tortuous days of Trumps' corrupt administration are surely nigh !...to quote a certain Cenk Ugur, founder and host of the 'progressive' left leaning media channel 'The Young Turks' ..."...tick tick tick, ! tick tick tick !"... If there is any justice Bernie Sanders (and Jeremy Corbyn in the UK) will restore integrity, and a generous measure of much needed social justice to their nations, and people ! Hope springs eternal eh , my friend ? ;-)
@@milesfarrimond2445 I admire your sentiments, but Bernie Sanders will not get elected if he wins the primary (which is highly doubtful in its own right). His policies are too radical and infeasible.
Miles Farrimond ridiculous. Sanders will never win with his socialist agenda. Trump 2020.
@@pyroVoid There is absolutely nothin infeasible in his policies, but it is true that America is to immature to admit that what has worked in Northern European country is exactly what they need to tackle the grotesque inequality that plague your country...
THIS MAN IS 23.
Great reason to become a huge fan. He won't get old and die on you anytime soon.
So? Magnus Carlsen became World Chess Champion at the age of 22. Many great achievements have been recorded by men and women younger than this conductor.
DieFlabbergast doesn’t make it any less impressive... conducting a major orchestra and a massive piece at that age is a great achievement
@@DieFlabbergast Don't be a twat.
@@DieFlabbergast lol you've probably never achieved anything like this your whole life
I have not been this stunned by a conductor and an orchestra in close to 50 years. The Leningrad is an extremely difficult piece to maintain all its lines and not let it sag in the middle. Neither young Mäkelä nor the orchestra missed a turn. What can I say? I can't. I was hypnotized. The string playing was spectacular, but so were the winds, brass, and percussion. I'll remember this performance of the Leningrad Symphony for a long, long time! Bravi tutti!!
Was the conductor cosplaying
Ik it's actually terrifying
Well, I imagine the conductor knows what he's going to look like when he gets older.
I love the Frankfurt Radio Symphony's recordings - the sound quality is excellent and the filming of these concerts is also impeccable; you really get some very interesting, sharp images (such as the overhead shots of the pianist at 12:55 to focus our attention on what to be listening out for), and the transitions between wide shots and closeups on the conductor are terrific.
They make watching a classical concert even more engaging than it would otherwise have been in real life, and their selection of music is always bombastic and dynamic, making for some great musical discoveries
Done by people who can actually READ a score!
@@manolopresas4799 or even people like me, those who can barely read a single bar but can do memorize such one hour of shostakovich concertos and can predict the next note by heart. Well, I confess a can do that after listening a work 20 times, but a think it gives me a chance to be a real Shostakovich fan. Best wishes from Brazil
Mr Kessler, May I recommend to you the Sinfonica de Galicia, where the camera, editors and sound are the best I have heard. In particular you may want to listen Mahler 3, which is in my view the very best interpretation.
@@sergiocontreras3447 fantastic!! Thanks a lot for the recommendation, I’ll check that out 😇
@@sergiocontreras3447 i agree,..Sinfonica de Galicia is very good,..and even similar perfomance for me,.. for this 7th Leningrad symf :)
I didn't realize I could listen to Shostakovich so intently.
Hard to believe it was 4 years ago.
I'm impressed, really.🎉🎉🎉🎉
He is meditating, he is praying, u can see he is obsessed with music and it has actually grown into him and infiltrated all his senses.
This concert is the definition of perfection...
Shostakovich rose from the grave and conducted it himself.
Yes indeed ! He certainly did him proud George ! ...What an impassioned yet wonderfully disciplined performance this was and what at real treat for the audience ! Its so wonderful that so great a live performance of this work was recorded for posterity, and uploaded for us all to witness and enjoy,. Also dare I say that this was a kind of eloquent statement of 'reconciliation' so powerfully delivered. And with the clear message that evils of war and totalitarianism must be consigned to the past !
@@milesfarrimond2445 That is a very subtle r/whoooosh...
Yes - he must have got bored decomposing.
I’m pretty sure that was intentional
@@adrianwright8685 I am ashamed, but that joke made me snort-laugh.
I'm here on Mäkelä's birthday in 2024 to celebrate his brilliance with this beautiful recording!! I have seen it already a couple of times but it's still super exciting to watch! Thank you, Klaus Mäkelä, and thanks to all the great musicians in the hr-Sinfonie Orchester, greetings from the Rheingau!
OK, lets all take a deep breath and let the comparisons of Mr. Makela's appearance to Shostakovich and his youth slip away so that we can realize that this is a remarkable performance by a young, highly gifted conductor and a world class orchestra in a great hall with extremely capable video and audio capture. This might very well be my favorite version of this complicated and misunderstood piece.
Off course. Great performance. For me, the best. It looks so simple and fun to him. This is the secret.
@@BeethovenChannel His secret is to keep distance. Like a waiter to the customer. He does not push anybody. The main secret, however, is not a secret : the hr symphony orchestra is magnificent
The one released on Naxos in the early 90s was pretty bloody epic too. I'm sorry I can't be more specific than that. I have the CD, but haven't listened to it for years. Listening to this now though, and loving it - although some of the choices by the horn players and the string section sound, well, different to how I remember them. A little wobbly and hazy in places, I'd say out of tune but that's obviously not it....hope you know what I'm trying to get at. Magnificent clarinet sound though....
No, not out of tune, not even out of key, just a little 'looser' than I've heard it played by others....
Greg, what do you mean "misunderstood"?
I can't believe this conductor was born in 1996! He's REALLY young!
He's my age, a fact that is simultaneously remarkable and depressing
Because you wanted to die in this age? Ah?
@@Kessler1996 You're one year younger, you should be happy :(
@@JonatasMonte happy because I have another year longer to remain in obscurity...?
@@Kessler1996 if you're lucky ;p
КАК ЖЕ ЭТО КРАСИВО ГОСПОДИ, Я СЛУШАЮ ЭТО НА ПРОТЯЖЕНИИ НЕСКОЛЬКИХ ДНЕЙ ЭТО ПОТРЯСАЮЩЕ
Thanks comrade
How do people not cry playing or listening to this? I won't stand a second before sobbing. It's so overwhelming to think what this meant to millions and still does. ❤️❤️ much love and peace
have to agree, some of those resolutions in the strings during the first movement...oof
because of the interpretation.
It was awful. Very bad conductor.
I was also crying, because I was so overwhelmed over the majesty of this work!
Every time. Goose pimples and tears, and I love telling people about Shostakovich. Oh, you think Drake is a gangster? Let me tell you about Dimitri.
7:08 - 21:15 In August, 1941 Schostakowitsch wrote: "I don't know fate of this thing, a leisured critics will probably reproach me for imitating Ravel's Bolero. Let them reproach, but this is how I hear the war."
It's one the most energetic and patient crescendos I've ever heard. It surely resembles Bolero, but it's quite different in many ways.
Sviridov' s "march" resembles it too
Ravel would have been proud of it, I’m sure.
I noticed that as well.an homage to Ravel.
Tbh, that section sounds a lot better than Bolero tho.
First Movement - 0:00:30
Second Movement - 0:29:15
Third Movement - 0:40:55
Fourth Movement - 1:01:11
The story of the Leningrad Symphony's first performance, in 1942, in Leningrad under siege from the Germans, is heartrending. The people of Leningrad were starving, dying. Insufficient musicians remained to play the symphony which requires 100. The Soviet military ordered regular soldiers, if they were musicians, to report to Leningrad to play this symphony. Loudspeakers were assembled so not only the people of the city could hear, but to allow the Germans besieging them to listen. We in the West have no idea how Russians have borne suffering. This huge symphony is always called the Leningrad. The German soldiers wondered that these people could produce such music.
The symphony was written in 1937 and is dedicated to the Great Terror.
The 5th symphony was written in 1937 and this is the 7th symphony written in 1941
Да, это всегда потрясает. Зная историю создания, слышишь ее совсем по другому. Очень знаковое произведение для людей, которые знают про блокаду Ленинграда.
Apparently, a German General who was listening to this said "if they have the strength to do this, we have lost"
@@Sary_Azman whatever the initial intent, the symphony was first performed in Leningrad in 1942 during the siege and will forever be associated with this tragedy.
the videographer deserves a raise
The conductor is a powerful leader. I can’t believe that many instruments are played melodiously just by his pointing the baton in any direction.
The conductor looks like young Yves Saint Laurent and young Shostakovich combined.
Omg soo true
somehow this comment makes so much sense
Ah oui c'est très juste
I love this piece for so many reasons. You must know the history behind the composition to understand it. Then, being a former professional clarinetist, the E flat clarinet solo is fearless! And the piccolo playing is magnificent. Among many other things, you must give props to the guys who played the same rhythm on the snare drum in the first movement for about 10 minutes straight. Who else can produce a 10 minute crescendo??? Amazing job.
I think the snare guy warmed up with Bolero...Maybe that is what turned his sticks black?
I am OBSESSED with this 10 minute crescendo. Probably one of the most beautiful things I'll ever hear.
In answer to your question, listen to the drummer in this recording. 17 minutes of vigorous work, the work contains the longest drum solo that I am aware of.
ruclips.net/video/ZCkHanF4v1w/видео.html
@@juliee593 Me too...
Брависсимо!!!!! Гениальный Шостакович, гениальное исполнение....спасибо дирижеру и оркестру!!! Браво...
I could watch this Conductor all day, he's so expressive and interactive with the orchestra its really fun to watch
This symphony was written in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) during the blockade in World War II. Shostakovich held the blockade for 4 months and arranged concerts to support the residents of the city.
Shostakovich was actually sent to Kuybyshev (now called Samara) for refuge while Leningrad was under siege. Sergey Bablykov made a video of a visit to this city on the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the premiere of this symphony by the same orchestra, the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra. Interesting video. ruclips.net/video/yF3p_w2PU14/видео.html
@@pauly5418 From Wiki: The composer wrote the first three movements in Leningrad and completed the work in Kuibyshev (now Samara), where he and his family had been evacuated.
@@TrueSonOfOdin Yeah but the siege started when he had almost finished the third movement so very little, if not none, of the piece was actually written during the siege. He was too busy as a volunteer fireman!
@@jackminto7062 No wonder his first movement was just the invasion theme, not the siege
@@Killerbee4712 He did often do a few things right.
This poor (richly rewarded) composer, never seemed to be able to ever decide which mood he wanted to indulge in; Bright,Dull, Bright Dull--no thanks, we can go to Stravinsky or back to Mozart. Gave it another try; still confusing lack of any memorable melodies.
My grandmother stayed in Leningrad throughout the blockade, working. She buried two sisters. One died of starvation, the other burned down when a bomb hit the house. And my grandfather defended Leningrad on Nevsky pyatachke. He died in Konigsberg in 45 in April. A month did not live to win. Another grandfather returned with a shell fragment in his leg, the fragment was before his death in 1994....
Thank you to everyone who defended my hometown!
Music of. great strength structure love and great great beauty.
The Arts are a Heart felt beauty.
How blessed we are.
This channel is saving my life every single day.
Thank you for everything, all your efforts are really appreciated.
Are you okay?
Rayyan I know exactly how you feel. RUclips has been such a blessing. Can't even calculate how profound it is.
Thank you for this positive message. Getting some energy from yours! Happy New Year.
I agree with your comment and add mine to it in appreciation.
the conductor has a really well-fitting suit
I have been listening to so many orchestras and conductors play this work for almost 40 years and finally I heard a real Shostakovich. Mäkelä is a magician like there has never been one before. I can't stop listening to his version.
This kid is a *brilliant* conductor. Incredible precision and clarity - although that may be in part thanks to the Frankfurt auditorium and technical expertise, as someone has pointed out - yet great sensitivity and POWER. Some of his mannerisms are almost Austin Powers but are actually very enjoyably expressive and directive. *He* obviously *enjoys* directing this long, demanding piece, and the orchestra clearly *likes* him and is with him and playing for him, and they are indeed making BEAUTIFUL music together and the best performance of the 7th I have yet heard. GREAT performance! :-)
Lou Coatney I can’t fault the product, but that shit move he gave the cellos 30 seconds in-the side elbow flick-almost made me fall off my couch laughing.
The first times I saw him performing I had an instant rejection due to his mannerisms. But hearing the orchestras when he conducts is another matter and I fully agree. He always delivers great performances. It reminds me of the precision and clearness of my favorite conductor: Claudio Abbado.
Sometimes people forget the you arent supposed to watch the conductor, your supposed to listen to the music! haha
I agree with your comment, Lou.
But Klaus Makela is not a kid. He is a prodigy young man aged 23. (I say this in Summer 2020)
Dude he’s not a *kid* he’s a full on adult
Given the history of this symphony and the conditions under which it was first performed, I find it heartwarming that it is being played here by a fine German orchestra, conducted by a young Finn. Superb job all around!
I never thought much of Uncle Joe. And, I hated Lavrenti Beria. I detested his purges of Russia's talented young military officers. But, he did save (perhaps) Dmitri's life when he ordered him to Moscow to finish this symphony. Phew!
Whats the history behind this piece , I'd like to hear from you
@@vijaykrishnan7797 So,in short terms,the symphony begun being written in Leningrad,the Author was shipped out when the city came under siege to complete the symphony,he did,and it premiered while being played by survivors of the siege,some in horrid conditions. And yet,they played,turning the symphony into a symbol of both the soviet populace's sheer resilience and of the struggle against Fascism,being played by all form of allied orchestras.
Its popularity kind of faded since then,but it's still emblematic.
@@rollutherhodie3076 I need to listen this again now I know this
@@vijaykrishnan7797 the debut of this performance was also on the night the nazis had planned to breach Leningrad after forcing it under siege for over a year
Imagine what Leningrad people felt that moment they heard this masterpiece. They felt power, strength from nothing, anger, pride and a huge willingness to WIN. And they WON. As a Russian, I am proud to carry on the memory of my great ancestors. Thank to Red Army and brave Soviet people (all the republics not only Russian Republic). I will never forget this heroic deed.
The rest of the world will not forget your suffering. Thank you for getting rid of the Nazism and liberating the ungrateful Europa...
@@ndhtyuyou just put in words my same thoughts. My father was sent to a forced labour camp as one of Hitler's slaves. From there, to die in a concentration camp from where he was freed by Russian's Red Army. I would not be here otherwise. The commemoration of the 80 th anniversary of the D Day without even mentioning Russia, was a disgrace.
Not this performance. It’s god awful.
Are you proud of the 1939-41 Soviet pact with the Nazis as well? Or would you rather not talk about that part
@@alesssndromanzoni2920 Russia might not have been invited to the D-Day celebrations because they did not participate in the D-Day landings. Also they are currently engaged in an imperialist war. Just a thought
I was gonna comment "why is the conducter so attractive", then I realised he looks just like Shostakovich so now I understand lol
@@gwydionrhys7672 and I don't.
It made me sad, I'm depressed now...
Shostyboi hahahaha omg I love it
He looks a lot like shostakovich himself too.
This comment right here, officer
SHOSTYBOI
Спасибо! Эта музыка--это не борьба "кого-то с кем-то", но "Борьба и Победа Добра над Злом". И вдохновенная работа оркестра и Дирижёра лучшее тому подтверждение. BRAVO!
Parts of the symphony Comparative to Incidents and battles
0:30-7:13 Leningrad theme (Invasion of France,Molotov ribbentrop pact,winter war)
7:13-16:25 Invasion theme (Operation Babarossa)
16:25-29:15 Theme of Resistance (Siege of Leningrad)
29:15-34:10 Second movements theme (Battle of Kiev,Minsk,Sevastopol)
34:10-40:55 Blood and Terror theme (Battle for Moscow)
40:55-49:15 Theme of The countryside (Winter Counter offensive)
49:15-1:01:11 third movement B theme (Battle of Stalingrad,Untenehmen Fall blau)
1:01:11-1:12:07 4th movement themes (Operation Uranus,Operation Little saturn)
1:12:07-1:16:00 Change in key (Operation citadel,Battle of kursk,Battle of Kharkiv)
1:16:00 build up for victory theme (Soviet Counter offensive after kursk,Relive of the Siege of Leningrad,The symphonies Leningrad Premiere)
1:17:56 Victory theme (First time) (Operation Bagration,Recapturing Kiev,Recapturing Minsk, Collapse of german army group north and center)
1:18:39 Victory theme (Finale) (Battle for Berlin,Liberation of Yugoslavia,Operation Overlord,Defection of the Balkans,German surrender)
✊🏽
while this looks good, one wonders at this "interpretation" considering the 7th was written in 1941 before many of the events you mention happened ... and yet, I'll accept it because you believe in this work as "prophetic" ...which in a sense it was
@@pravemet4427 your opinion is quite accurate and Its true Because the work was mainly dedicated to "leningrad" Not the "Great patriotic war"
@@celloplaysmusic7330 the battle of Leningrad could be seen as a miniature of the great patriotic war, it follows the
According to the biographer Solomon Volkov (from interviews with Shostakovich), this symphony reflects the terror of Stalin's government before the war and the dream of a free post-Stalin Russia. It is not really about the war, that was just what the later propaganda claimed. Today it could reflect the terror of Putin's regime, as yet another case of universal lack of taste and stupidity. And also the imagination of a possible free Russia post Putin.
That bassoon solo at 22:20 always break my heart. Really impresive performance, great conducting and playing.
Theo Plath
Young conductor, thats rare... Quite refreshing...
extremelj tense . in looking as a buro man . depressing .
Only 2x aged, so young
are you being ironic? the business is always looking for young. always.
@@teresaloureiro2525 As is the story of the composer.
Gustavo Dudamel was young too
Nicht Silber,nicht Gold,,,nicht Diamant ,,,,die Genialität dieses Werk`s ist mit Worten nicht zu fassen.
Это можно выразить 27 млн погибших за Родину
@@shippi3899 Реками слёз можно выразить,пролитые гражданами СССР,..слёз,которые доныне сливаются в океан скорби и негодования и выльются в очередное справедливое возмездие уже на Евросоюз и США
Then why did you begin this war ?
@@arekofpoland8735 What ? I did`t start a War ! I hate Violence ! ......i don`t understend You.
Leute ,,,,,,ich wollte mit meinem Kommentar nur zum Ausdruck bringen wie grossartig ich die Musik von Schosta finde ,,,,,und keine politische Debate lostreten,,,, ,,,,,bitte ,,,,,,,,streitet euch woanders,,,,ich möchte nicht Politik mit Musik vermischen ,,,,,meine Absicht ist vor dem genialen Schosta einen Hut zu ziehen!
Nice conducted by Mr. Harry ShostaPotter. Nice conducted, indeed!
Klaus Makela... let's write down this name. His future is inmense.
I agree.
Definitely
His passion reminds me of Sir Georg Solti.
I thing that it is already :)
This comment aged well.
Le chef d'orchestre n'a que 23 ans lors de cette performance : chapeau !!! Car performance il y a !
I was born in 1990 in Leningrad(nowadays St Petersburg) and I cant listen to the 7th symphony without tears. Germans destroyed many men but they didn't destroy our souls. Memory about this hell will be passed through generations till the last Russian alive.
Русские забыли, к сожалению. "Можем повторить", ага. Да ни один фронтовик никогда в жизни не произнёс бы "можем повторить". И никогда девятое мая не праздновали как праздник какой-то, только вспоминали войну как большое горе, даже Сталин на эту человеческую память не посягал. А теперь Петербург - "побратим" блокадного Мариуполя, где люди воду из луж пили, а на парадах ездят ядерные боеголовки. "Бессмертный полк" огосударственили, осквернили, превратили в фарс, а тепепь доигрались до того, что приходится самим запрещать. Все забыли, что только могли, растоптали и бросили, превратили в наклейки на машинах и мемориальные таблички "героям" из Вагнера.
Надо будет вспоминать потом заново, рефлексировать и ВОВ тоже в общественном сознании, чтобы повторялка отпала, чтобы не позорить ни память, ни героев той войны, ни Шостаковича, которого запрещал один кремлёвский дед.
@@vampyroteuthidae. рефлексируй себе на здоровье, нас только не заставляй. Ты, часом, сейчас не в стране ли, "которая не воюет с соседями"? Понятно, почему для тебя 9 Мая - траурный день.))) А для нас - Праздник.
I was born in Germany in 1991 and here I am, listening to this wonderful symphony and connecting with you because of music! What a time to be alive!
@@MsSeverozapad хватит размазывать сопли по воспоминаниям о блокаде. Одного Мариуполя хватит, чтоб заткнуть пасть таким страдальцам, как ты. И, кстати, я не на той стороне и не в той стране. Нарисуй себе z на лбу и любуйся на себя в зеркало, проклятый рашист. Ты и такие как ты, губят не только Украину. Вы лишили будущего Россию, мою родину, какой бы она ни была. Будь проклят, рашист и тебе подобные!
Well, I listened this performance 4 times after each and I still wish to listen it again and again. Phenomenal symphony I do adore this orchestra truly and I think this special concert with a wonderful triangle between the composition of Shostakovitch, the Hr Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt and the genius young conductor, Mr Klaus Makela brought unforgettable hours to the classical music - enthusiasts. Big congratulations to all of the instrumentalist and the conductor too. Thanks for sharing.
I've had this on repeat for days now. Can't get enough of it. It's simply amazing.
Yes, I know he is a Shostakovich look alike, and the orchestra is so powerful. The young conductor's energy and style is grasping. Bravo, Klaus Mäkelä and Leningrad Symphony! On the Leningrad website, not listed, so I assume one time guest conductor. Bravo! (Videography is superb, too; and I love how they kept the entire applause, credits, and flowers on video for us to see.)
After watching this 20 times, I still get goosebumps and chills. I thank God that Klaus Makela did this. What a joy.
Here m.ruclips.net/video/9Yq3aryJdng/видео.html
Wash out the bad performance 🤣
Brilliant, brilliant music composed by the great Shostakovich. The struggle of the brave people of Leningrad in 1941 against the forces of fascism is superbly and enthrallingly encapsulated in this stirring and dramatic music. Shostakovich was a citizen of Leningrad so this is one of the most personal of his works. Superb performance by the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra.
ROBERT STYLES===10000%%%%==TRUE!!!!!--THANK YOU!!!
La cosa pazzesca è che il Direttore assomigli a Shostakovic
😮 aw i agree it's like we all back in time..
Veramente pazzesco.
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Nazım Hikmet, Shostakovic...
Somiglianza direi voluta e ricercata😂 come quei pianisti con capigliatura alla Beethoven 🤣
You’ve noticed this too huh?
Ненавистные, передохните
Господи! какой великий компоzитор.В одном ряду с гигантами музыки.Я блокадник и благодарю его от всей глубины моей моей души.
Шостакович и есть гигант музыки
Шостакович-герой для своего народа и всего мира!
@@gabbyhyman1246 человек был хороший, на фронт просился...
Низкий поклон Вам!
Я бы сказал , что Шостакович не был в ряду великих, он был впереди многих великих композиторов 20 века!!
People think young people don’t appreciate this kind of music but I’m 18 and I just love it. Classic Music will be always special and magic.
oh you so unique and intelligent I'm shocked
Im younger even, I'm 14 and I listen to the entire movements :)
Who even says that? The conductor is a few years older than you lmfao.
@@belledrop actually is 21, but whatever, it dosen´t matter the age in this case :)
Many thanks for this beautiful and strong music 🙏 Listening really helps me now in Kyiv.
W is coming and going, but music is eternal… Thank you💙💛
May this piece help you as much as it did for Leningrad 80 years ago. I'm thinking of your people every day.
@@Elmonator I'm sure the great composer would be ashamed of his people... if he were to return for a moment these days. Thank you 🙏
Держись наши скоро освободят!
@@nataliyakamchatnaya6287 for those who don't know. Schostakovic did disagree with communism and he was called out by the soviet gov. Multiple times
Великолепное исполнение.Дирижер большой мастер. Тема войны великого народа и победы отражена в симфонии Шостаковича сочно.прекрасно. Браво дирижеру и оркестру.Бывший дирижер .
И ему всего лишь 24 года! Потрясающе !
It is always a great pleasure seen such confidence in a young, talented musician like Mäkelä as he has been conducting great orchestras since his birth. I've been watching some interviews on his background and I was amazed with his intelligence and education! Congratulations Mäkelä!
Take a good conductor - one with obviously enormous talent - match him up with this orchestra - sit back, listen carefully, and go with it. What a wonderful experience.
He conducted until the end without breaking a sweat, a testament to his flawless conducting technique.
The young conductor gave breath and spontaneity to this masterpiece. I am seldom excited about a performance but on this one I am.
the conductor looks like he's part of the Kingsman
The conductor also looks like a young Harrison Ford.
Shh don’t tell the world his secret😂
Absolutely! I thought he was the hero scientist in a 1950s horror movie!
I don’t remember conducting this
Louie Louie In Leningrad!
Klaus Mäkelä is Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra
Born: 17 January 1996 (age 25 years), Helsinki, Finland [so 23 for this recording]
Damn that's impressive.
What a great symbiosis between Klaus Mäkelä and the Frankfurt Radio Symphony! One of the best versions I ever heard of this Symphony!
'A star is born; Klaus Mäkelä & Shostakovich is a dreamteam... excellent performance of a brilliant piece
That bass clarinet solo is perfection! What a sound, what a massive massive tone.
In Leningrad in 1942 they gave an hour-long standing ovation. It was so loud and so long even the Germanys could hear it
Every time I hear something about this event I realise it was truly one of the greatest achievements of mankind ever seen. How they haven't made a film of it is beyond me.
Громкой овации , стоя 1942 году не могло быть. У голодных людей не было сил громко хлопать в ладоши.Эти овации называли" шелестом осенних листьев".Немцы так же могли слушать эту трансляцию,после они поняли, что НИКОГДА не смогут победить русских. Жаль,что опять забыли.....
@@ladak.7813 Ну да, теперь же немцы полезли на чужую территорию
@@ladak.7813 ...
@@burgundy.v полезли, исподтишка, финансируя и посылая военную технику нацистам.
For me, Shostakovich's personal agony is more palpable and visceral in this symphony than any other. For years I found it almost unbearable to listen to. Now I love it. And in this performance with an energetic young conductor and a world-class orchestra, it's almost unbearable again but in a good way. Brava tutti. Wonderful performance.
He is one of the hardest composers; and also the symphony was written during the beginning of the siege of Leningrad. Germans were bombing the city; and many people starved to death.
@@MarinaSamoylovich Yes. I'm aware of its history. That, for me, is what makes it all the more remarkable. The 5th is the same, in a way... writing such grand and imposing music while under such personal attacks by the Soviet authorities. Thank you for the comment.
@@michaelpaulsmith4619 I imagine he was more concerned about the suffering of others rather than criticism of his music.
@@mikemurray2027 I don't think we can even imagine the hardships he went through. Nice comment, Mike.
You could even say it's an analogy of war, you can't help yourself but be fascinated by it despite being constantly reminded of tragedies and horrors
Pure soul and culture of the slavic people expressed through music.
Noting the diversity here - Russian music, German orchestra, Finnish conductor.
Beautiful.
The first movement march in this performance is positively nauseating. There is an almost Mahlerian curdled sarcasm to any bit of it that could sound triumphal. Clearer than ever is that the march is a hellscape animated by perverse forces, and nothing about it is glorious. I can't think of any performance that made this clearer. Bravo!
Ленинград - символ человеческого духа и воли.... Великая музыка....
А дирижёр очень внешне похож на Шостаковича. Такое ощущение, что Шостакович воскрес и лично решил встать к дирижёрскому пюпитеру и исполнить собственное великое произведение
Факіншід..Позаслугам получили..Твари..Ибо есть Суд..
Музыка-то хороша, хоть и не без помощи Равеля возникла, а Ленинград -- символ подлости и людоедства.
@@МатвейКитов-о9л При осаде не было не 1 случая каннибализма
@@МатвейКитов-о9л нет. В музыке Шостаковича скорее ощущается влияние немецкой композиторской школы в духе Рихарда Вагнера и Густава Малера. Послушайте, например, Полет Валькирий Вагнера и вы поймёте, откуда растут корни музыки Шостаковича. Равно также чувствуется влияние Модеста Мусоргского и прочих русских композиторов-передвижников. Если вы хотите услышать нечто общее с Морисом Равелем и прочими французскими композиторами, то лучше послушайте Прокофьева. Ну а в музыке Хачатуряна явно чувствуется американские джазовые нотки в стиле Гершвина
Busy life sometimes makes us forget the importance of relaxation. But this video reminds me that we need to take time for ourselves, relax and enjoy moments like these.
Человек, создан думать. Услышь музыку, не надо знать русский язык
He did often do a few things right.
This poor (richly rewarded) composer, never seemed to be able to ever decide which mood he wanted to indulge in; Bright,Dull, Bright Dull--no thanks, we can go to Stravinsky or back to Mozart. Gave it another try; still confusing lack of any memorable melodies.
This is my favorite version of Shostakovich’s 7th symphony. With great conductor and great orchestra!! What a talent! Respect and love from south korea
👍👍👍
Phenomenal reading. And, did anyone catch the lovely scene around 1:20:09 between the first oboe and the first flute. That's precious.
ikr!!!!! "are u ok, mate?"
Rare that a piece of music can simultaneously sound so beautiful and elicit goosebumps & tears in the listener... A true masterpiece
One of the most powerful symphony of Dimitri Shostakovich. Brings feelings of war, peace, victory and defeat all in one. Respect this great man.
How can someone be so young and so accomplished!
Amazing performance, so dramatic and yet soulful, love to look at him as he conducts, he lives it, he feels it, has so much charisma. Great orchestra...
Dude is 25 😔 while the rest of us achieve mere mediocrity, dude is conducting one of the world’s best orchestras and world’s most amazing symphonies and absolutely killing it. How could I have done more with my life?!
You don't know what you're talking about. This symphony is awful and Shostakovich wrote it that way on purpose. It's obviously sarcastic and poorly written as an FU to the Soviet censors. Very mediocre bland music, but intentionally.
@@severusbandaya As a symbol against the revolting fascism and totalitarianism that was rife in the 30's, this was a tour de force. I'm sorry you find it bland. I couldn't disagree more, but as a wind player, we rather appreciate the long sparse evocative solos but I appreciate that others might have differing opinions. Intentionally bland? Don't think so. Don't know what I'm talking about? Don't think so. I have a fairly good degree from a fairly good university, and I play to a fairly high level on several instruments, so regardless of whether you agree with me or not, continue to be Schmelly Bandaid by name (handle), Schmelly Bandaid by nature.
Have you ever heard of genetics?
@@garrysmodsketches Yes I have. There was I thinking I was a member of the congnoscenti! I feel you are on the cusp of imparting some wonderful information here. On the cusp of greatness. Don’t let us down!
@@nyapsta1 I'm on the edge of my seat.
Я живу в Санкт-Петербурге (ранее Ленинград). Эта симфония имеет огромное значение для моего города
The hr-orchestra is a world class musical apparatus. I love you guys, you're amazing!!
Could not agree more !
One of the most impressive recordings and videos I have found here on RUclips. I have only praise for this orchestra and conductor and the technicians who made this happen. Thank you.
Yes indeed Sir, and thank you.
This piece is so full of power and life affirming energy. The story of Leningrad during the blockade is a true symbol for the will of the human spirit to endure in spite of suffering and desperation. So many moments of terror and desolation are met with moments of optimism and hope, and in the end there is true triumph and victory. I myself have been suffering with chronic illness for years. I find myself returning to this song to summon the will of the people Leningrad, who survived their most desperate hour after suffering for so long. Like Shostakovich's 7th, I feel I am stuck in a long and wondering middle section... a bit of a wasteland in my body and my soul. Though I still am so full of hope and optimism. Still so full of life despite these circumstances and I truly look forward to my moment of victory, just as Shostakovich's 4th movement ends with triumphant victory for the people of Leningrad and for all of the USSR.
God Bless you, wish you health!
Спасибо Вам!! И желаю вам крепкого здоровья и благополучия!!!
According to the biographer Solomon Volkov (from interviews with Shostakovich), this symphony reflects the terror of Stalin's government before the war and the dream of a free post-Stalin Russia. It is not really about the war, that was just what the later propaganda claimed. Today it could reflect the terror of Putin's regime, as yet another case of universal lack of taste and stupidity. And also the imagination of a possible free Russia post Putin.
One of the best symphonies I have watched on RUclips. except for the music itself and the message it gives. The performers do a great job here. I am also impressed by Mr. Mäkelä's work. He is only 28 and he does such a great job. Lucky you younger people who can enjoy his works for decades to come. I think the camera crew did an unforgettable work here, thank you!
Powerful performance brilliantly played. I've read where this symphony received a lot of negative press in the West when it was first performed there. I guess that's probably because it wasn't avant-garde enough for the critics at the time. Time is always the best judge and now it's readily accepted as a major mid 20th c composition by the greatest symphonic composer of that century.
The critique was more likely about the propaganda the lies in this symphony
@@neo-eclesiastul9386 More likely about people who know a lot less about music than Shostakovich, which is just about everyone who ever lived.
@@TheLogicBeast i am not speaking here about how was this music made, but about what message does it send.
@@neo-eclesiastul9386 What 'message' do you hear? I'm guessing it's different to mine.
@@TheLogicBeast the message I hear from this music is the following: even if the people were starving under the siege of Leningrad, even they were frozen to death, even if musicians were dying during rehearsals, the communist spirit of the Soviet man triumphs over the evil forces of Fascism. Shostakovich needed a work to rehabilitate himself, the case being the following: after the 4th Symphony, he wrote the 5th one, in a more traditional sense. After the 6th, he wrote the 7th, hence this symphony. After the 9th, which parodies the symbolism of the 9th Symphony in the history of European music, he wrote the 10th, dedicated to Lenin. The message of this music lies in the Soviet narrative of the communist man that crushes any opposition. Needless to say, the music is quite banal. If it did convinced even Toscanini to conduct it ( yeah, the same guy which refrained himself from conducting modern music), it should speak about the backwards quality this symphony. The reason why it is so popular is of that: it is written to be popular. Diatonic melodies, filmscore-like dramatism, pretty conventional harmonies, the rhythm is mostly steady, and the Bolero-like theme of the first movement is a nice catch of public hearing, since it repeats itself.
That is to say, have a nice day and I am here for you rebuttal or opinion!! Cheers!!