MUSIC 225

Dr. Joelle El Khoury

JULY 2, 2018
AMIL KABA
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Symphony No. 6 By Dmitri Shostakovich ......................................................................................... 3
3. “Confusion” By Ghady Rahbani ....................................................................................................... 4
4. Dmitri Shostakovich
4.1 Short Biography .................................................................................................................................. 4
4.2 Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District……………………………………………………………………………………………5
5. Personal Opinion about Shostakovich Operas ................................................................................. 5
5.1 The Nose ............................................................................................................................................. 5
5.2 Lady Macbeth...................................................................................................................................... 6
6. References ............................................................................................................................................ 6
 1. Introduction

In a concert dedicated to the memory of Milagros Hernando, the former ambassador of

Spain in Lebanon, L’Orchestre Philharmonique du Liban performed two pieces: Confusion by

Ghadi Rahbani and Symphony No. 6 by Dmitri Shostakovich. The orchestra, directed by Jordi

Mora, used a plethora of various instruments which includes all of the families.

The performance of the two pieces provided a truly glorious show which moved the

audience with this superb execution of such beautiful musical pieces.

Figure 1: Orchestra at St. Joseph Church - Achrafieh for this concert.

 2. Symphony No. 6 By Dmitri Shostakovich

The structure of Symphony No. 6 is said to be unusual, having a long and introspective slow

movement at the start which is about 15-20 minutes long. It is then followed by two shorter

movements that are approximately 5-7 minutes long. Some of instruments used in this symphony

were the strings, piccolo, flutes, oboes, bassoons, clarinets, tuba, timpani, harp and a few more.

As mentioned earlier, Symphony No. 6 is made up of three different movements:

 1st movement: Largo

Usually, slow movements come as second movements; however, the twist here is that this

slow movement came as the first movement and as the opening. It also blooms as an entire

symphonic poem on its own. The first movement begins by capturing a lot of emotion having a

long melody played expressing sadness. This same theme develops throughout this movement

and encounters a climax with a trumpet solo. The central part of the Largo movement involves a

flute solo. This movement reminded me of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Eroica (funeral march). I

personally love Beethoven’s Eroica since a long time and this got me amazed and triggered when

the Largo movement played.

 2nd movement: Allegro

The tempo of the Allegro movement is faster than the first movement. This gives us an

understanding that Shostakovich might have wanted to accelerate the pace slowly in each

movement. Allegro starts of more cheerful than the Largo movement and then a sudden violin

melody brings a bit of unexpected sadness.

  3rd movement: Presto
The third and last movement is also considered a quick one like the second movement when

they are compared to the largo’s duration. There is more joy and happiness expressed in this

movement. The change in color is noticeable and a great way to end such a piece.

3. “Confusion” By Ghady Rahbani

Confusion is a symphonic composition in one movement. This piece dates back to the year

2000, but Ghady Rahbani rearranged it recently for the concert performed by L’Orchestre

Philharmonique du Liban on june 22nd, 2018. Although it was much shorter than the Symphony

No. 6 by D. Shostakovich, I personally extremely liked it. From its very beginning, the crescendo

can be sensed and it keeps increasing until a climax is attained towards the end. In the handouts

given at the concert, the climax is referred to as a nightmare that startles you awake with a

scream. However, the dream does not end just after that to continue with the climax which draws

some confusion for the audience.

4. Dmitri Shostakovich

4.1 Short Biography

Dmitri Shostakovich 1906 – 1975), is a Russian composer that was also regarded as one

of the most important composers in the 20th century. He was also pianist and his orchestral work

includes 15 symphonies and 6 concerti. Dmitri showed great talent and potential; subsequently,

in 1919, he entered the Petrograd Conservatory in Saint Petersburg, Russia where he studied

piano and composition. Shostakovich’s first musical achievement was the First Symphony which

he wrote towards the end of his school years. Moreover, in 1926, Shostakovich's extraordinary
career began He then rapidly established himself at the forefront of young Soviet composers. At

the later stages of his life, Shostakovich’s health took a steep down curve and limited him from

playing the piano. His life came to an end due to lung cancer in 1975.

4.2 Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District

Two years after Shostakovich’s second opera, Lady Macbeth, recorded a dramatic

success and established itself firmly in the theater. The opera tells a story of a lonely Russian

woman in 19th century who falls in love with her husband's worker and is further driven to

murder. In early 1936, Stalin went to see it. A couple of days later, Shostakovich’s Lady

Macbeth found brutal, state-sponsored criticism. It then disappeared from the boards. The Lady

Macbeth opera was not the only thing that was removed; while Shostakovich was completing

his Fourth Symphony, he was forced to withdraw it as well. It got its first performance after

almost 25 years.

5. Personal Opinion about Shostakovich Operas

Dmitri Shostakovich wrote 7 operas: The Big Lightning, The Gamblers, Lady Macbeth,

Moscow, The Nose, Orango, The twelve Chairs. However, I could only find links to 2-3 of these

operas online which limited the range of options available. Therefore, I chose to talk about The

Nose, and Lady Macbeth.

5.1 The Nose

LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muxgjshs6MY.

What I liked in this opera is the unique and original story behind it. It’s really surprising
how a detached nose can make a successful story. At first, I had mixed feelings about what I am

going to see, but the opera becomes interesting and one would want to know what is going to

happen. Apart from the content (text wise), musically, Shostakovich really grabs the audience

with the way he alters the range at different times during the opera. I also liked, and found funny,

the tap dancing of the giant noses scene (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YotMwwixPsw).

5.2 Lady Macbeth

LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldRJQfES8hA.

As mentioned earlier, tells a story of a lonely Russian woman in 19th century who falls in

love with her husband's worker and is further driven to murder. The story is very interesting and

keeps the audience in suspense wanting to know what is going to happen next. An unexpected

ending with Katerina’s is something I found fair and suitable for this opera. I believe

Shostakovich produced a play which held a metaphor for the hypocrisy and brutality of his

contemporary Soviet society.

6. References
Dmitri Shostakovich. (2005, February 10). Retrieved June 29, 2018, from
http://www.musicsalesclassical.com/composer/long-bio/Dmitri-Shostakovich
Musical America Blogs. (n.d.). Retrieved June 1, 2018, from
http://www.musicalamerica.com/mablogs/?p=22527
Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 54. (2016, April 1). Retrieved July 1, 2018, from
http://www.kennedy-center.org/artist/composition/3963
Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 54 (1939). (2009, February/March). Retrieved June 30, 2018,
from http://americansymphony.org/symphony-no-6-in-b-minor-op-54-1939/