Keeping Score | Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 (FULL DOCUMENTARY AND CONCERT)

The Fifth Symphony of Dmitri Shostakovich is the story of a fall from grace and redemption. Shostakovich was the golden boy composer until, virtually overnight, his patriotism was questioned and condemned in the most public way possible. Written in 1937 in Stalinist Russia, the Fifth Symphony marked his triumphant return. But the question remains: what did the composer mean to say with this enigmatic music? In scenes filmed in St. Petersburg and Moscow, Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony offer clues to unlocking Shostakovich’s musical secrets and make the case for how this symphony may have saved his life.
Bonus Features:
Full-length concert performance of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5 by the San Francisco Symphony originally filmed in high-definition 16:9 widescreen and 5.1 surround sound at London's Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC Proms concert series.
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[@johnwalters1341]

The most memorable concert of my life occurred back in the 1970s, when as a grad student at the University of Hawaii, I used to attend the concerts of the Honolulu Symphony. It was strictly a provincial orchestra in those days, but they scored a coup when Maxim Shostakovich visited and conducted his father's Fifth Symphony. It was a big social event; the Soviet consul flew out from San Francisco to attend the concert. I was still learning music; I had an indifferent recording of the Fifth, but wasn't terribly impressed. But that night Maxim had that orchestra playing WAY over their heads--he took the piece at a much slower tempo than my recording, and it was a positive revelation! The rest of the audience was similarly moved--there was a thunderous standing ovation, and Maxim stood there on the podium with his father's score held over his head. I was a convert there and then, and have remained so all these years.

[@steftrando]

Is there a write up of that concert?

[@davidkuder4356]

Beautifully described. Thank you for sharing!!

[@HAEngel-cr5gp]

Tears in my eyes.... I so well understand.

[@bobjary9382]

How extraordinary ! These sublime moments are treasures in our memory

[@josemiguelmonardesmuller]

😢Bendito eres por vivir eso MOMENTO Histórico😮🤯29.6.2023

[@afrofinka]

Awesome ! As a musician, I can only praise the high quality of the Keeping Score series, musically and graphically. Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra are simply incredible ! Thank you very much !

[@yttrium55]

Normally that much restrictions on creational freedom would have killed the outcome, but Shostakovich managed to present a masterpiece. It must be quite a miracle. I appreciate MTT’s analysis.

[@jasonrich4940]

This is my favorite symphony. So rich is symbolism and interpretation, without losing the raw human element of the composer. A perfect study in how to write in and encode deep meaning into music. He was such a brave man

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

If you look at this symphony in the context of the 4th Symphony it gets even more impressive of an achievement. In the 4th he did not hide anything of what he was feeling, and it was so obvious that he had to withdraw it before its premiere, because the musicians feared they would all end up in the Gulag for playing it and Shostakovich would probably have been shot. And it ended up being shelved until 1961 when the political climate had changed enough. Then he figured out a way to say the same things in the 5th without being obvious.

[@bartrazin]

So true! The fourth is also one of my favorite symphonies and indeed Shostakovich wrote the music without holding back or thinking about any reprimandes. The coda of that symphony would have been enough for a one way trip to Siberia.

[@Troubleshooter125]

@@bartrazin Oh, jeez! The coda to the Fourth to me is pure magic, and the magic comes almost exclusively from the celesta. I must have heard that work a couple dozen times, but those beautiful, mysterious bell notes fracture me *EVERY LAST TIME!*

[@bobhourigan7626]

A very hearf felt thank you to both Michael Tilson Thomas and the members of the SFO. These programs so remind of Leonard Bernstein and the Young Persons Concerts of the 1950s and 60s.

[@nanbokor]

A beautiful analysis of a wonderful symphony. Many thanks to Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony.

[@aliciacody9535]

I'm literally Lui Lui Ii

[@anti64]

This was an incredibly well made documentary and analysis, thank you so much for making it available for free to the world!

[@robertbox7666]

I played this in high school concert band. 2nd trumpet. I loved this music over the last 55 years.

[@StuartSimon]

I really admire how you managed to make a convincing argument how the symphony and its ending are deliberately subversive without having to refer to Shostakovich’s Memoirs. To me, debating the symphony has been pointless since the Memoirs make it all too obvious. What I wanted to discover was the clues in the music, and you helped me do just that,

[@scardon1940]

There are arguments that the memoirs are forged in certain areas, which makes it harder to make an argument for either side

[@sophiatalksmusic3588]

If you mean "Testimony" when you refer to the "memoirs," most experts do not consider that book reliable. There are debates as to how credible it is, but there's a pretty general agreement it's not 100% accurate. Personally, after reading Shostakovich's letters, it's become apparent to me that "Testimony" did not portray many aspects of him accurately at all, although there are arguments from credible people that its portrayal of his political views are accurate. I've come to my own conclusions on Shostakovich, myself, but these are largely based in primary sources such as letters and documents.

[@anteb.k.8396]

@@sophiatalksmusic3588 Be aware that the letters in those times were far too often opened up and read by the communists in power so it would be pointless for Shostakovich to write openly about politics in any letters..

[@krozjr5009]

@@sophiatalksmusic3588 I knew I’d find you here. Of course. Like a flame for a moth, isn’t it?

[@johannesbowman5327]

Thank you so much! Merci Beaucoup! Grazie mille! Спасибо большая! I loved Keeping Score as a 11-year old. Now I’m 21 and a musician/composer. All thanks to great music and great musicians! Thank you Tilson Thomas, the SF Symphony and all those Beijing the scenes... you inspired me!

[@miguele.rosario-vega935]

WHAT AN AMAZING PERFORMANCE AND INTERPRETATION!! Thank you MTT, the San Francisco, Symphony, and the BBC for making this documentary and performance available in this platform!

[@InCAdocumentaries]

It has nothing to do with the BBC. It was all created here in San Francisco.

[@jandrewscali]

Having discovered this wonderful Keeping Score series, I will always return to these incredible performances. Especially with Maestro MTT at the podium.

[@sophiatalksmusic3588]

I'm a really big Shostakovich fan, so this was a really interesting video to me. Although I was already familiar with the story of the Fifth Symphony and many aspects of Shostakovich's life, I had never seen the interior of the apartment/museum. This was a wonderful video and Mr. Thomas' conducting and explanations more than deliver, but what really got me was that goddamned STAIRCASE around 30:24. There are some accounts that say that he was so frightened of being arrested, he'd sleep outside his apartment by the stairs with a packed briefcase, fully dressed, so that his family wouldn't see if it were to happen. I'd like to point out that most sources say that the story of him nearly being interrogated most likely wasn't true, however. But nonetheless, this was a fantastic documentary that greatly moved me! Bravissimi to the orchestra and Mr. Thomas!

[@BytomGirl]

The story is true according to my book which was written 100% based on accounts of his friends, aquaintances and family

[@selenamorton422]

He also kept a suitcase full of his belongings underneath his desk too.

[@jazzporridge1506]

I find the finale harrowing, as an (amateur) player and as a listener. There we are on the strings hammering out our scream hoping the first trumpet makes that high note. Then the crowd roars. What a great performance. And having gone on about the Proms it was very nice to see so many regulars looking so young in this video. Thanks very much in particular to the Russian members of the orchestra for their personal insights: "played for Shostakovich" is quite a thing. As for the staircase, I thought Julian Barnes book 'The Noise of Time' expressed the banality of that terror with exquisite precision. I'd put off watching this one because I find Dmitri's music disturbing, and in our current circumstances... But as QuotenWagner.. says in effect, if Shostakovich could pull off the 5th in his circumstances, what do we have to worry about. Glad I watched. Thanks SFS, MTT, BBC

[@scuunjieng]

Bravissimo this is my favorite music of all and Shostakovich my favorite composer. Thank you Maestro. I have over 15 recordings of this work and have seen over 10 live performances but never had the opportunity to listen to yours. Hope I get the chance to do so.

[@zevnikov]

Me the same. I have all recordings of Shostakovich ever published ;)

[@joekbaron1205]

@@zevnikov i know this is a lot to ask and for everyone it’s different but can you tell me your favourite recording of each individual symphony of shostabear?

[@zevnikov]

@@joekbaron1205 Barshai the whole cycle, especialy 15, 14 Nelsons 10,9,5,6 Wyjung Mung Chung , 4th...

[@hanzhang99]

Thank you SFO and MTT. Just like MTT's interpretation on Mahler, it was very thorough analysis of a piece by composer background, music comparison block by block, passage by passage. Such a great video!

[@uralbob1]

My God, this is so striking and beautiful. I'm so greatful for this series.

[@willcoleman2014]

I grew to know and love this music without realising any of this history behind it. Now I love it even more. Thanks for posting this!

[@cornel999]

i played this piece in youth orchestra about 45 years ago. i knew it was dark and dreary, but i didn't really understand the full context of its creation. mostly what i knew was it was really fun to play - the 1st violin part is full of great meat and potatoes fiddling.

[@gabbyhyman1246]

Ha. In youth orchestra I got to play the timpani. Hard to be humble 😂😂

[@blsharpley]

Thank you so much for putting this series up! Please keep it posted!

[@zevnikov]

Dear Michael. This is simply amazing presentation. Greetings from Gimnazija Kranj Symphony Orchestra.

[@psycalibur4291]

The chorus of coughing that ensues at the end of the first movement really personifies the world events that would soon take place not long after this concert.

[@sergiuarapan5023]

Thank you very much for revealing the depths of the genius of Shostakovich, who encoded in his music the Russian-Soviet history and people's sufferings and tragedy.

[@crafend6040]

Just one thing: Thank you, this was amazing. The "dead end" notes in the credits were haunting.

[@stickom]

This movie is... PHENOMENAL, thank you!

[@andreahillmer882]

my jaw dropped when I saw this video

[@wolfgangresch1650]

What that man lived through, and what he accomplished regardless-speechless-Thanks and God bless you Maestro and SFO for taking the time to educate and entertain us 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@АлександрЖихор-н7п]

Очень сильное исполнение до слез до мурашек СПАСИБО!!!!!!!!!!!

[@anthonyb4479]

The five dislikes are stalin

[@josephcarlbreil5380]

That's Stalin with a capital "S".

[@BytomGirl]

Joseph, it's capital for those who like him, for those of us who despise him, he is undeserving of respect

[@TWOCOWS1]

Why, you thought the dogmatic stalinists are dead? no. there is Antifa setting fire to universities who dare inviting speakers they do not like. why not thumbing down Shostakovich in here??

[@peted1594]

haha

[@joshuagearing937]

The fourteen dislikes are the returns of Stalin...

[@ellastarrr1st149]

Very interesting comments on my favourite composer, this is real music, I fell in love with it when I was just a kid the records I bought purchased had to be by the USSSR Symphony orchestra it had a sound of its own.

[@davebournemouth]

Really excellent programme, so informative,I learned so much. Thank you.

[@tootietatum8737]

Watching this again after some time, it feels somewhat impossible now that MTT was able to film scenes in St. Petersburg. Mindblowing and very sad.

[@jazzporridge1506]

The timpanist never takes his eyes off MTT This is such a moving piece of work. Thanks to all of you involved in its production (especially the first hand Russian participants)

[@davidalbrecht6507]

What a great series - just discovered this - thanks for posting!

[@s02229]

I am so thankful for this. I’ve been reading books about Shostakovich because he is one of my favorite figures. His life poses so many questions like how to live with integrity and write for his people and for himself despite basically being held at gun point. He made a lot of mistakes especially nearing the end of his life, (quite possibly) unknowingly condemning his colleagues. Should he be forgiven? His story is one of humanism and human frailty. But because of my limited musical knowledge, I couldn’t quite connect these with clues in his music even though I enjoy them immensely. Thanks again for this. Looking forward to discovering other masterpieces through this series and hoping that you will make another one for Shostakovich’s other works if possible

[@Skitdora2010]

This was very nice. It reminds me of the type of concerts our family used to go to when I was a kid at the Knickerbocker Arena (Then Pepsi Arena and now MVP Arena) and The Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

[@lorenaguineatrigo3658]

Bravo por este programa! Muchas Gracias. Un saludo desde España

[@robinblankenship9234]

Late 2021, in the U.S. Truly a symphony for our time.

[@johannschneider6372]

Дмитрий Дмитриевич is definitely the greatest composer of the Post-Wagnerian music.

[@_alicia__]

That low horn excerpt S L A P S

[@nenadpetrovic5595]

Shostakovich 's Glory to Stalin, to the detriment of the audiences, remains to this day forgotten. The world needs brave ppl who will resurrect this great work. Shame that music remains politicised.

[@curtisgrindahl446]

THIS is great viewing! Thanks to MTT and the San Francisco Symphony for this excellent presentation. I honestly don't care at all for this music, but putting it in historical context makes it meaningful for me.

[@TheJojoaruba52]

Fantastic music history course. Really brilliant interpretations and videography.

[@occultist_10]

I learned so much from this. Thanks to the filmmakers and interpreters.

[@MrSNJ582]

KZbin: How many commercials do you want to cut between music? SFS: YES!

[@murrayaronson3753]

Marshal Tukhachevsky, who was a music lover, was a patron and friend of Shostakovich, was purged and executed during the Great Terror. This hit close to home for Dmitri Shostakovich. Shostakovich was supposed to be an atheist, but I saw a cross oh his tombstone when I visited his grave in Novadevichy cemetery in May 2013.

[@gibbogle]

I doubt that DDS put it there.

[@peterhaslund]

This is among the most moving symphonies of all eras for me, and it takes a brute to not hear the suffering of ordinary peoples under Stalin

[@DariusSarrafi]

Shostakovich wasn't the only one persecuted. Khachaturian and Prokofiev were equally condemned.

[@gibbogle]

Millions were persecuted, hundreds of thousands killed.

[@DariusSarrafi]

@@gibbogle I didn’t know they had millions of composers!

[@gibbogle]

@@DariusSarrafi Nor did I!

[@technik-lexikon]

2:43 that trumpet melody reminds of the burlesque finale of DSCH's Violin Concerto

[@gibbogle]

I'm watching this while reading Elizabeth Wilson's excellent book "Shostakovich A Life Remembered". Thomas's interpretation is consistent with Wilson's.

[@ThePubliusHuldah]

Thank you for your fascinating and enlightening walk-thru of this Symphony.

[@carlnorman7403]

Awesome. What a fascinating and insightful analysis of this great work.

[@absolutevideo1899]

His LSO performance is truly the best on KZbin the clarity and virtuosity of the orchestra are out of this world...

[@alvarito45]

It's weird to see a man at the harp! First time I find this. Marvelous Shostakovitch in all his music, but I It's magic, and I it's character, it's symbolism.

[@FaustoSaporito]

Amazing! Awesome! All of you!

[@Vajrayogini-pp1gr]

Wow... What a brilliant documentation👍🏽 thank you

[@JohnMassari]

Incredible documentary. Thank you 🙏

[@richardwilliams473]

I find it amazing that timpanist David Herbert has adapted to the German configuration of his drums!

[@turriwiet]

It reached me. Thank you!

[@yungheehong5613]

I first heard this symphony in 2022, the week when Russia invaded Ukraine - couldn't get any more relevant for me

[@igorshadrin8729]

What about other countries invaded by USA? :))

[@Tinaso2010]

Thank you so much ....

[@Raulrpar]

Great material. Would it be possible get the subtitles in many languages too? Many thanks

[@abgrunder]

26:16 an old man giving out kittens to lovers :)

[@josephcarlbreil5380]

Shostakovich was a cat lover. Good on him.

[@andrewnguyen1220]

I thought was a heart or lung

[@renatinn]

Thank you

[@pierogiuseppetaiti8507]

splendide esecuzioni

[@LeongParenting]

Love this series! ❤

[@e.hutchence-composer8203]

48:26, that interruption killed me

[@steftrando]

1:41:46 this part right here is godlike

[@aldeayeah]

The heroic theme at the beginning of the 4th movement is reprised as a dirge. Brilliant. From that part up until the end, that's some of my favorite music ever.

[@batymahn]

I remember hearing it the first time in the winter of 1978 at the National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mstislav Rostropovich. It was a Standing Ovation. To me it speaks so much to our time; with so much justice not being realized (Epstein) and nothing being done about it. You feel helpless but always hopeful. Even now the Fifth Symphony gives me comfort.

[@bhsisthebest]

Wonderful video and sommentary. Thank you.

[@marcelouz1]

Shostakovich had to compose this symphony, because some of his earlier works were considered by Stalin and the Soviets as counterrevolutionary music, so with all the terror and fear the dictatorial regime composed the 5th with a memorable name "An artist's response to a fair criticism", without realizing that he had written his best symphony, received with an avalanche of applause that lasted almost half an hour. How ironic! at the same time

[@jamescpotter]

My question is if he was under intense scrutiny to conform to the ideology of the times, was his symphony sincere and genuine? Was he voicing his own voice or was he placating to the autocracy and writing what they expected? Or perhaps this is a symphonic protest against the regime? Because music can appear ambiguous, Shostakovich get's the final word beautifully orchestrated in each phrase and bar. The 5th is my favorite symphony of all symphonies including Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and especially Mahler. Whatever his intentions, Shostakovich penned the perfect symphony. It is exquisite!

[@pprudencio1966]

Not gonna lie, the “happy” version of the ending actually sounds really good in an unironic way, very Mahler-esque.

[@slavaaa100]

Спасибо

[@steftrando]

1:20:55 god this part sounds so cool

[@albertmm96]

To reduce Shostakovich's music to his reaction to the political situation is a great mistake. By the way, Anna Andreyeva, the wife of the great Russian visionary writer Daniel Andreyev , ( they both were present at the premiere) gave us another vision of the last movement 's coda: it's a prayer. If we think about it in this way, the coda unexpectedly results positive: it's the immortal faith in the triumph of the good over the evil

[@gibbogle]

It wasn't just about the Soviet political situation. He was aware that Fascist authoritarianism can take many forms.

[@albertmm96]

@@gibbogle you haven't got what I was saying.

[@gibbogle]

@@albertmm96 If you say so.

[@darkgreenambulance]

Appreciate so many comments! Poor old Russia - some things never change - see what is happening today ..............!

[@paytporik]

My Shostakovich.......

[@MOTOMINING]

Aside from the amazing music and and narrative by the conductor, I find it intriguing that everybody waits for a break in the music and coughs all at once.

[@mostafaasemani4839]

The best performance was conducted by Gianandrea Noseda in Proms 2004.

[@nenadpetrovic5595]

Mravinsky and Shostakovich were friends and we should turn to Mravinsky's interpretation to find out how Shostakovich liked it played.

[@janicewolk6492]

I would also point out that the Soviet Union sponsored the arts which did let kids from Siberia get to St Peterburg or Moscow if they displayed great talent.

[@SarekOfVulcan]

Are the 22 dislikes because of the ads that keep popping up in the middle of phrases, instead of between movements?

[@tdot2413]

eerie parallels of today in the beginning

[@becut95]

I'm hearing about the Gulag and then suddenly a beer ad appears. Paradoxes of modern life I suppose

[@user-uf6hu6oy8o]

I felt Shostakovich made the symphony for not only soviet but for his posthumous work.

[@andrewlankford9634]

51:15 He loved big brother.

[@aldeayeah]

Wow, I made the same connection. It really feels like the same kind of ending.

[@aldeayeah]

Or this other 1984 quote: "If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever.”

[@richardsmith3121]

Just watched the documentary - very informative if ruined by 17 advert breaks in a little over 50 minutes. Getting ridiculous..

[@gibbogle]

Get Adblock Plus (free). I see no ads.

[@hrvojebartulovic7870]

You didn't mention his most striking feature: his glasses!! In prominence comparable only to Mahler's and Lenon's!

[@doklincoln6314]

Thank you. Osu

[@asmakabbous7019]

so exacerbe i can bearly listen to 20 out of 40 min introspectation

[@ahmetibin3684]

1:06:57 -Tarkan

[@Scriabin_fan]

Imagine what Shostakovich would write if he had freedom.

[@joseg.matamoros2847]

The adagio is actually the most depressing cry for help

[@serendrixsan9191]

4:32 what is this piece? Pls help

[@tritonfryar2043]

The Golden Age by Shostakovich

[@FraudMonet]

Dance of the two soviet soccer players, from “The Golden Age”.

[@josephcarlbreil5380]

I love DSCH every bit as much as I loathe Mahler. Shostakovich's music reflects time and place, politics and repression. The 5th is arguably his masterpiece. The final bars of the fourth movement speak volumes: the tympani notes D-A, D-A, etc. culminating in the fff bass drum enunciate the composer's response to the Soviet regime: 'up yours, Stalin!'.

[@josephcarlbreil5380]

@Noah Hertzman Dear Noah, it would take over a year of your time to read my fulsome diatribes as to why I loathe Gussie's music. Suffice to say, it would have been great if he'd concentrated on his conducting career.

[@sophiatalksmusic3588]

@@josephcarlbreil5380 That's interesting that you say that; Shostakovich was very heavily influenced by Mahler- see the 4th, 5th, 10th, and 13th symphonies especially, as well as the Viola Sonata and Songs from Jewish Folk Poetry. What are your thoughts on his particularly Mahlerian works?

[@laurencebeck7072]

Horn Section expression : 1:13:42

[@ilfagocchio]

which piece is from 4'06'' to 5'42''?

[@michaweinst3774]

It's an excerpt from Shostakovich's ballet The Golden Age

[@ianw1976]

Best part is 4:07

[@andrewnguyen1220]

Is giving headache

[@ianw1976]

@@andrewnguyen1220 Understandable.

[@lt_space_orange7486]

What part of "The Golden Age" is that from?

[@ianw1976]

@@lt_space_orange7486 Dance of the Black Man and the Two Soviet Soccer Players