Dmitri Shostakovich
Shostakovich Symphony No. 15 in A major
The last symphony, where William Tell and Wagner pop up
- Key
- A major
- Composed
- 1971
- Premiere
- 1972 Moscow
- Duration
- about 45 min
- Movements
- 4 movements
- Instrumentation
- Woodwinds 2·2·2·2 (+ piccolo) · Brass 4·2·3·1 · Timpani · Percussion (triangle, castanets, wood block, whip, tom-tom, snare drum, cymbals, bass drum, tam-tam, glockenspiel, xylophone, vibraphone) · Keyboard (celesta) · Strings
The story behind this piece
Written in 1971 during treatment, when Shostakovich's health had worsened, this is his last symphony. It premiered in Moscow on January 8, 1972 under his son Maxim Shostakovich.
It is also his most enigmatic piece. In the first movement, the famous galloping tune from Rossini's William Tell overture keeps popping in, and the finale opens with the "Fate" motif from Wagner's The Ring of the Nibelung and the opening of Tristan and Isolde. Shostakovich compared the first movement to a "toy shop," and opinions are still divided on whether he meant it seriously or as a joke.
What to listen for
- First movement: Look for the William Tell tune each time it appears. It's fun to count how many times you hear it.
- End of the fourth movement: With percussion ticking like a clock's second hand, the strings' A major chord quietly fades away.
Listen · Score
- Hear the full piece on YouTube · hr-Sinfonieorchester · Andrés Orozco-Estrada
Credits