Composer

:

Dmitry Shostakovich

Genre

:

Symphony

Style

:

Symphony

Compose Date

:

1961

Average_duration

:

38:50

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Dmitry Shostakovich's Symphony No. 12 in D minor, Op. 112, also known as "The Year 1917 - in Memory of Lenin," was composed in 1961 and premiered on October 1 of the same year in Moscow. The symphony is dedicated to the memory of Vladimir Lenin, the founder of the Soviet Union, and is a musical depiction of the events of the Russian Revolution of 1917. The symphony is divided into four movements, each of which represents a different aspect of the revolution. The first movement, "Revolutionary Petrograd," is a depiction of the chaos and violence that erupted in the city during the revolution. The movement begins with a slow, mournful theme that gradually builds in intensity, culminating in a frenzied climax that represents the violence of the revolution. The second movement, "Razliv," is a more peaceful and reflective movement that represents the countryside outside of Petrograd. The movement features a pastoral theme that is interrupted by a brief, ominous section that represents the looming threat of the revolution. The third movement, "Aurora," is named after the ship that fired the first shots of the revolution. The movement is a depiction of the storming of the Winter Palace, the seat of the Russian government, and features a triumphant, martial theme that represents the victory of the revolutionaries. The final movement, "The Dawn of Humanity," is a hopeful and optimistic movement that represents the promise of the new Soviet state. The movement features a soaring, triumphant theme that represents the triumph of the revolution and the dawn of a new era in human history. Overall, Shostakovich's Symphony No. 12 is a powerful and evocative musical depiction of the Russian Revolution of 1917. The symphony is characterized by its use of bold, dramatic themes and its ability to capture the tumultuous and chaotic nature of the revolution.

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