Shostakovich Symphony 5 (Heavy Metal Cover)

[@Danderson238]

I've 30+ year's experience playing in a rather good German symphony orchestra, but I've never heard anything like this. Your arrangement, musicality, intonation, tempi, accelerandos, dynamics and style are all true to Schosty's intentions. You sir, are a genius.

[@shapandsons7402]

I too have had 30+ years in Symphony Orchestras. Played this symphony many times. And I'm impressed!

[@daisy-lk1lt]

​@@ebeneyres2169 to a certain extent it depends on who's conducting, yes it is faster then when i played it, but i've seen various different takes on the ending from many different orchestras, so i don't know if it does matter too much. he did rit at the end though. i'm no expert so idrk

[@daisy-lk1lt]

@@ebeneyres2169 hmm, slower definitely does give more dramatic effect, fitting the piece better

[@LaSagadeF]

@@ebeneyres2169 I think you are wrong. Even though Shostakovich wrote the score to be slower at the end, I think it is fine for this version to go faster given the instruments and style that is being used (heavy metal). For a orchestra is ok slower, but for this is ok as it is here

[@kate.s.composing]

I think that both interpretations communicate very different things. Neither is necessarily better, they’re just different. A slower version is more sarcastic, almost mocking a celebratory military piece to show subtle opposition to Stalin’s regime. A faster tempo is more epic in sound, but may not be what was intended. We have little knowledge whether this movement was meant to be a subtle act of rebellion or not because of a lack of reliable information about Shostakovich’s views and emotional turmoil (though we do know that such emotional turmoil almost definitely existed). Overall, it’s difficult to pick a favorite without knowing this, so I personally appreciate any good performance, regardless of tempo.

[@AAAA-ow1by]

I bet Shostakovich would like this

[@rickwilliams967]

I don't.

[@Aquatarkus96]

@@rickwilliams967Nobody asked you

[@richardamoroso_violin]

Member of The Philadelphia Orchestra first violin section... know all those licks :) You’re amazing! Major major props for so many reasons!!!

[@79Clochette]

Violonist here as well 👐

[@ethanhunt236]

I'm a long-time fan of Shostakovich, and always said his music was the "Heavy Metal" of the classical world. I still love the original, of course, and always will. But what you have done here is quite wonderful!

[@ofirstroh]

I think Bartok might contest that title but I do prefer Shostakovich and he's still very metal

[@Pakkens_Backyard]

O dear dem bartok pizz - it's like slap bass before slap bass lolol

[@Grayham4]

the way you handled the horn interlude was genius

[@ConnorGallagher]

Thank you!

[@ganjapreneurtv]

As a horn player who has that solo I wholeheartedly agree with you. It was glorious

[@limshwin]

please never delete this... One of the best videos I;'ve never seen

[@TheNarpsquad]

Why is this how I hear Shostakovich 5 already lol

[@79Clochette]

I KNOW RIGHT ??? I looked up "shosta rock'n roll" because playing this symphony today I was like "this is 100% rock'n roll"

[@elijones7637]

This guy does the entire thing better on his guitar than I do the cello part on my cello

[@79Clochette]

Thought the same 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 (violin here)

[@mkallend]

I first played Shosti 5 as a 14-year old in my youth orchestra, and it changed my life. You did awesome work, and I hope you keep it up. Future generations of young musicians will see what you did, and it will affect them in a similar way. You are making the world a better place.

[@porukun52]

Ha ha, wonder if we were in the same orchestra!

[@Losveterani]

Every now and then I come back to listen to this cover and, let me tell you, you are a genius, this video deserves 100x times more views and likes than it currently have

[@bartscrivener4634]

Connor, you nailed it, Bro. I know every damn note of that symphony ; been listening to it for over 40yrs. I love your youthful focus and energy, and honestly, I think Dmitri would give you a big damn smile for this !!

[@connorpearson7513]

This is so perfect and brilliant it moved me to actual tears.

[@TarmoRiutta]

This performance approves that genre is only a thin layer on the surface of music.

[@JedShura]

A prime example of how to increase interest in this intensely amazing music.

[@joshuahussainmusic]

I love this, best thing I've seen on the internet today.

[@joedellinger9437]

That heavy theme that starts it off and recurs throughout is meant to represent Stalin... which means “steel”. So this is the perfect instrument to play it on.

[@ccarmagnola]

Fantastic. A tribute to Dimitri Shostakovitch, through the last mov. of the best symphony of the XXth century. Congratulations.

[@FelixGraham]

Still one of my favorite things on the Internet!

[@yeetstreetUSA]

AWESOME!!! Shostakovich is my all-time favorite composer and this was an incredible (and unique) interpretation of my favorite piece of all time! Bravo!

[@ssabchris]

Wow! i´m really impressed, Dude! i used to play long Time ago Guitar in a Metal Band and have playing professionally the double bass in an Symphony Orchestra. i´ve never heard anything so well made!!!

[@ConnorGallagher]

+ssabchris I also play double bass in a Symphony Orchestra! Thank you for your kind comments :)

[@JenniferThomas-iy7jk]

I don’t know how I ended up here, but I certainly do not regret it. Awesome!

[@joeyraggs]

What a performance! I've loved Shostakovich's music for a long time and I think you captured the essence and power of this piece. I think he would have been impressed.

[@hangwithdoug]

This is one of the coolest things I've heard in a long time! Thanks for sharing this! Shostakovitch is awesome and it's just as awesome being played by an electric guitar.

[@jakob8251]

I forgott what a breathtaking piece of music this is. Great Cover.

[@eduardocaceresvaldivia8631]

Shostakovich would be pleased with your interpretation. Really an interpretation!

[@DanielNiebergMusic]

This has got to be one of the most creative things I've seen on KZbin in a while. Great job!

[@forshmakoff]

Парень, ты большой молодец.

[@arkonslorman1670]

You are without a doubt one of the most talented guitarists I have ever seen! Also, your arrangements are just mindblowing. Wooow!

[@jatb011]

absolutely brilliant conner, happy you are doing so well

[@paddymacignatz283]

Dear Sir Gallagher! I hope you are fine and will delight us with more of your outstanding adaptation of classical music. Very well done.

[@Knskyzlp]

You are absolutely crazy! It's great! I love Shostakovich and I like your covers of his symphonies! Thanks!

[@rodrigopineda9535]

PLEASE!!! You MUST try a Metal version of the "II Movement: Allegro (The 9th of January) from the 11th Symphony - It's simply one of the MOST EXTREME MUSIC ever made!!!!!

[@bartrazin]

I agree!!

[@jasonrich4940]

DUNDUNDUNDUNDUNDUNDUNDUNDUN DUNDUNDUNDUNDUNDUNDUNDUNDUNDUUUUUUUUUN

[@trueandika]

Rodrigo Pineda he just did it 😬

[@joey_zhu]

give this man a medal

[@gravematter1]

My favourite composer, my favourite "classical" music ever and played on my favourite guitar (that I own), the faded brown Gibson SG. Plus multiple guitar parts so it also reminds me of Brian May, my favourite guitarist.

[@bryanbuckley9653]

rare to see a your tube guitarist playing from sheet music, Very well done, a great arrangement

[@sherlockholmeslives.1605]

'GENIUS' Connor! Both 'You' and 'Shostakovich'!

[@ali.kayall]

Shostakovich would definitely be proud of this interpretation.

[@evaroest6853]

Fantastic! I have played this symphony (violin) and yes sir, this really sums up what happens when you play it in an 80 to 100-pax orchestra.

[@hamrickdr]

Nuts to Boosey and Hawkes. You put an insane amount of original creative work into this.

[@tarahhill8776]

I have seen some astonishing bridges in my life, but none so astonishing as this!!!

[@PM-xo2ot]

Sir, again, I can only repeat, you are obviously a genius. I certainly encourage you continuing on this creative path. You have my gratitude.

[@zinofrancescatti]

Very interesting! And nice arrangement. I like it!

[@joyousmonkey6085]

Oh my giddy aunt! This is absolutely superb! Faithful to Shozzie and to metal. And the concept of Bozo and Whorks having the copyright to Shozzie is like the publisher of a dictionary owning words, and stopping poetry or literature.

[@finn7591]

Shosty. Not Shozzie lol

[@MButlerHallett]

This is GLORIOUS!

[@s0undf0rm]

indeed an excellent idea and performance:) one can really feel the music even in such different skin :) hope to hear more from you ...symphony #4 fugue segment comes to mind ... :)

[@thebat2785]

this is Brilliant , would love to see tabs and backing track made available please !

[@nikoblading]

This is brilliant. I love 5th symphony and your cover is great. Cheers

[@ali.kayall]

3:29 to 7:33 is outstanding.

[@richardjames3446]

Great choice of classical composer. The best.

[@mattderossett6928]

Just played shosty 5, this is awesome!!

[@ricklopez2314]

Congratulations Sir! Very skilled. Thoroughly enjoyed this.

[@haderai8648]

Just outstanding!

[@wyattw7040]

THIS IS AWESOME!!! I love shostakovich and this song

[@alexfrederick-percussion1171]

This is so cool. Great work! Thanks for sharing! I hope you do more; I'd love to hear whatever you come up with.

[@afakkobyab5982]

so good. Thank YOU!

[@DSCH1956]

5 years later : still great !

[@curtisperrin-chhsband4917]

This is spectacular! First off, kudos to you for the arrangement and performance! And thank you for re-posting. I'll be using this with my high school band students! I hope you post more!

[@vijaykrishnan7797]

what you have created here is beauty and I would like to admire it for as long as I can

[@mikehuang6122]

I am big fan of Shostakovich and this is just amazing! Would you take a look of Shostakovich Piano Trio #2 Op.67, last movement to see if it is a good candidate for the Metal conversion? Thanks!

[@esharp13]

Superb stuff! Love it!!

[@GamjaField]

This totally makes sense. Thank you for the experience🤟🤘🤟

[@pratyushbzr]

Every so called Elitist who only likes one genre between Metal or Classical and thinks the other one is "music for falling asleep" or "just random noise and screaming" should listen to this. There is so much in common between the two genres, especially mid 20th century classical and modern Prog Metal that it blows my mind.

[@pikachuchujelly7628]

I'm sure a lot of metal bands listened to some intense classical music (especially Shostakovich and Bartok) for inspiration.

[@bazzfromthebackground3696]

I feel like this is where Uematsu got the inspiration for "Dancing Mad"

[@minacciosa]

Brilliant!

[@cleirthomoliver4438]

Great work, amazing

[@piccoloxl1]

Absolutely brilliant! this must have taken you hours!! Having played this many times I really appreciate your take. Keep the good work up. May be hard core for some listeners but then ye can't please everyone.

[@mason11198]

You know your metal when you aren't even trying to be metal, yet people perceive you as metal and make metal renditions

[@fakepapertiger528]

So-called "canada" is an illegitimate genocidal settler colonial state (something I ridiculously only noticed after moving here, blame deliberately shitty colonial education systems)... But yeah i agree, Shostakovich was way ahead of the curve with fat dissonant chunky riffs

[@mason11198]

@@fakepapertiger528 um.... I'm native Canadian bub

[@class6853]

This = 70s King Crimson + 80s Metallica = Awesome q.e.d.

[@siladex-gaming]

and then you get dream theater🙂

[@zanelowrymusic3793]

This is spot on.

[@mountainhobo]

Excellent.

[@explorer.01]

I would love to have decently studio recorded album of your work.You are a fucking genius.

[@mr.otakuproductions1925]

nice time signature transition!

[@_fu_chi_]

What!?!? I love this!!

[@crocutable]

dude, this is awesome!

[@LeiJack]

I like this, can you try to modify Shostakovich Symphony 7?

[@andreealex1912]

Ahora por favor la 5ta de Mahler Ojalá leas este comentario, me encantó todo, estoy tocando esto actualmente en una orquesta y has cambiado mi forma de percibir a Shostakovich, porfavor haz más cosas como estas :"D

[@vincentd.centenophd263]

Superb!

[@tomfritzsch1928]

Ok. That was freakin awesome. Played that many times in concert band but hearing this was like putting the best of my two favorite worlds together. Classical metal! Oh yeah.

[@robertduggan3019]

Simply awesome. I bet Shostakovich would love this in today's world,Stalin not so much. Give us more!

[@sakurabuffet_3439]

This is honestly the best

[@coltongibson7828]

Amazing

[@dhlshovel]

Brilliant! Great Work Connor.

[@mbcrra]

the triumph... OF STEEL!

[@pylypyshyn_production]

this is great! thank you!

[@andyhills9972]

It is a proper heavy metal symphony isn’t it! Even though you lose the sarcasm that Shostakovich perhaps intended by playing it faster, I prefer it that way. Hats off!

[@georgew.douche26yearsago65]

Amazing!!

[@ArsLonga1967]

I love Shostakovich and his music and am a bit of a purist but this works, there's a hint of Mike Oldfield in the transcription but it truly is well done. Bravo !

[@timanderson5417]

Holy living fuck! You won't believe this, but I learned this on my 5 string bass back in 1992! It has been my favorite piece of music since I was 13 in 1980! YOU ARE THE MAN Fantastic version. I can't explain how much I love this. Brilliant! I am now a big fan. Wish it were possible to work together. OUTSTANDING!

[@PewReview]

One of the best musicians on KZbin. SO excited to see more! I think you'd do a good job of Beethoven's 9th, 2nd movement.

[@MsTapenade]

DUDE YOU ARE CRAZY hahahah good job!

[@johnedwards4472]

You are truly an excellent musician and smart arranger :)

[@undedmunky]

awesome!

[@eleonorananni2979]

WOW man...WOW!

[@JohnMassari]

Good Lord! Love it!

[@pladdefilmmusicco7805]

Very Good interpretation, its intertesting to see how good you can translate his music on guitar an inside ne Heavy metal genre. but is have one problem, its the final, the final shouldnt be played as the apologie as its unsual in sinfonies, a dissonant a note represents the suffer, and indicates that something is wrong with the Triumphal end and it kind of gets lost in your interpretation. but this is critique on the hightest possible level. plz bring us some more of heavy metal style symphonies :)

[@livclarkmusic]

Ive learned this for me set works in Music A level for my exam on Monday, this is all it's gonna sound like in my head when writing the essay 😂 btw this is awesome!!

[@ludwigvonzork7494]

Horas y horas de trabajo que te habra llevado hacer esto... para que el resultado haya valido tanto la pena! Magnifico!!!

[@MrsSedley]

Your work on this, the scherzo of the Tenth and the second movement of the Eighth String Quartet, is phenomenal. And what a lot, alas, that copyright statement reveals about greed. Boosey's know their time is night with the coming out of copyright of Shostakovich, Prokofiev and Strauss..

[@jonathantoben7547]

Well done!!

[@tbozzio4711]

This is great!