Dimitri Shostakovich: Symphonie No 5 Op 47: Orchestra

Shostakovich’s fifteenth symphony differs substantially in many ways from his other late symphonies. The eleventh (1957) subtitled The Year 1905 and the twelfth (1960) subtitled The Year 1917 are both programmatic symphonies relating to political and historical events within the year of which they are subtitled. The next two symphonies are sung texts with vocal and/or choral parts: thirteenth (1962) and fourteenth (1969) symphonies.With the Symphony No.15 In A Op.141 Shostakovich’s last foray in the genre the composer returned to a purely instrumental and non-programmatic composition which inhabits a purely emotional andintellectual plane quite removed from the world of politics and history.Available here is the pocket or study score of Shostakovich’s last symphony the Symphony No.15 in A Op.141. This is an excellent Sikorski edition score and is ideal for study and perusal purposes.

In 1938 Shostakovich composed his Second Jazz Suite at the request of the recently founded State Orchestra for Jazz conducted by Victor Knushevitsky.This suite was originally scored for a complete symphony orchestra to which four saxophones an accordion and a guitar had been added. The Jazz Suite no. 1 in three movements composed in 1934 had been written for a smaller ensemble. The title 'Jazz Suite' is rather misleading as the composer definitely uses the style of light music. Back in 1928 the twenty-two-year-old Shostakovich had already composed some light music.A bet among friends to make an orchestration of the popular song 'Tea for Two' in less thenone hour time caused him to compose 'Tahiti Trot'. Shostakovich easily won the bet as he completed the original and witty arrangement within only forty minutes!

Hawkes Pocket Scores HPS 628-The study score for Shostakovich's Symphony No.5 Op.47. Hawkes Pockets Score 628