Shostakovich Symphony No. 4

Shostakovich Symphony No. 4

Author: Joshua Weilerstein August 15, 2024 Duration: 1:08:30

Shostakovich's 4th symphony is not for the faint of heart. It is a massive work, around an hour in length, and it calls for the second largest orchestra of any in Shostakovich's output. It is uncompromising, sometimes brutal, and it isn't nearly as lyrical that later Shostakovich has in spades. But with all that said, many people, including myself, consider this symphony Shostakovich's symphonic masterpiece. It has been described as the symphony containing the kernels of everything Shostakovich would ever write after. It also marks the final piece Shostakovich wrote before his 1936 denunciation that utterly changed the course of his life. Today, on this Patreon-sponsored episode, I'll take you through this monumental work, telling you the remarkable story of the conception and aborted first performance of the symphony. Then we'll dive into the music itself, talking about the large scope of the piece, it's unusual form, and of course the raw emotional core that is always so present in Shostakovich. Join us for a wild ride!


There’s a particular kind of curiosity that draws people to classical music, but the sheer scale of the repertoire can feel overwhelming. Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast, hosted by conductor Joshua Weilerstein, meets that curiosity right where it is. Think of it as a series of open conversations about the music itself, designed to be equally engaging for someone hearing a symphony for the first time and for a lifelong devotee. Episodes might feature a thoughtful interview with a performing artist, offering a glimpse behind the curtain, or they could focus entirely on a single piece, peeling back its layers to explore why it resonates. Weilerstein guides these explorations with clarity and enthusiasm, moving seamlessly from foundational concepts to more nuanced details about different musical eras. The entire premise of this podcast is built on a genuine belief that this music belongs to all of us. It’s about replacing any sense of intimidation with connection and understanding. While past seasons are gradually being re-released, each episode stands as its own invitation to listen more deeply.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Mahler Symphony No. 4, Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:48
If you haven't listened to Part 1 of this episode about Mahler's 4th symphony, I highly recommend doing that, as every movement of this symphony builds to the "Heavenly Life" of the last movement. On Part 2, we'll be goi…
Mahler Symphony No. 4, Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:49
After the truly heavenly slow movement of Mahler's 4th symphony, a soprano emerges and sings a song literally called "The Heavenly Life." It is a symphonic ending like no other, one that leaves the listener peaceful and…
Beethoven String Quartet, Op. 132, Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:37
If you joined me last week, you heard about the severe intestinal illness that Beethoven suffered from during the year of 1825. Beethoven thought that he was near death; he was spitting up blood, in terrible pain, and re…
Beethoven String Quartet, Op. 132, Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:01
I had long hesitated to write a show about any of Beethoven's late string quartets. These are pieces that professional quartets spend the better part of their careers grappling with, struggling with, failing with, and mu…
Nielsen Symphony No. 4, "Inextinguishable" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:36
At the top of the score for the Danish composer Carl Nielsen's 4th symphony, he wrote: "Music is life, and like it, inextinguishable." This could easily be the shortest podcast I've ever done. I could leave you with that…
Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:41
The stories, legends, and myths about the trials and travails of composers lives are legion, like Beethoven's battles against fate, Mozart and Schubert's struggles with finances, Brahms' failures with women, Mahler's tro…
Elgar Cello Concerto [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:24
Elgar's Cello Concerto was composed in the shadow of World War 1. It was a piece that marked a profound shift in Elgar's outlook on life and music, and was his last major work before a long silence caused by the death of…
Romeo and Juliet in Classical Music [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:19
The "love theme" from Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture is one of the most famous themes in the history of Western Classical Music. The story it accompanies might be the most famous Western play ever writte…
Mozart Symphony No. 38, "Prague" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:28
Very few cities have had a relationship with a single person, especially a foreigner, like the city of Prague and its love affair with Mozart. Here's what Lorenzo Da Ponte, Mozart's librettist for some of his greatest op…
Jean-Louis Duport Cello Concerto No. 4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:05
Thank you to Nicole for sponsoring today's show on Patreon! Have you ever heard of Jean-Louis Duport? I imagine that unless you are a professional cellist, or someone who studied cello as a child, you probably haven't. E…