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An Unwilling Prophet
The War Symphonies - Shostakovich against Stalin
Dir.: Larry Weinstein | 76 minutes

Other Screenings

The wonderful music of Dmitri Shostakovich is rich in styles and statements. What were the circumstances under which this genius composed, and how did he succeed in developing and expanding the Romantic style? How did he, through his dedicated work, turn the symphony into an emotionally powerful and meaningful genre, particularly in recent generations?

Lecture by: Prof. Michael Wolpe

Concert performed by The Jerusalem Trio: Roi Shiloah violin, Ariel Tushinsky cello, Yaron Rosenthal piano

In the program: Shostakovich Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, for violin, cello and piano, Op. 67

Canada, Germany 1997 | 76 minutes | English, Russian | Hebrew, English subtitles

The documentary consistently conveys considerable emotional power, as well as a piquant sense of irony. Described by Shostakovich as his “tombstones for the victims of Stalin”, Symphonies 4 to 9 represented the composer’s weapons against tyranny and remains a powerful testimony of his struggle against all political oppression. Much of Shostakovich’s symphonies consists of music that's harsh and aggressive, nervous and tragic; even No. 9, written to commemorate the Allied triumph in World War II and seemingly a light, joyous ode to victory, was in fact filled with musical sarcasm, a favorite mode of expression for Shostakovich. The documentary, shot on location in Moscow and St. Petersburg, brings together great performances led by Valery Gergiev, rare archival film material, and personal recollections from family and colleagues.