Summary: It can be difficult to separate Shostakovich's 5th from his political situation, but focusing only on the politics can lead us to ignore some of the most searingly powerful music of the 20th century in favor focusing only on the extra-musical forces behind the piece. This week, we'll look at the 3rd and 4th movements from a musical point of view, discussing how Shostakovich creates his musical palette. Then, we will discuss the controversy over the ending of the piece. What WAS Shostakovich trying to say?
