Great Masters: Shostakovich - His Life and Music
Course No. 760 (8 lectures, 45 minutes/lecture) Includes 2 dvds and course guidebook.Taught by Robert GreenbergSan Francisco PerformancesPh.D., University of California, BerkeleyDiscover the extraordinary life, times, and art of Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975), great musical master and flawed but faithful witness to the survival of the human spirit under totalitarianism. He is without a doubt one of the absolutely central composers of the 20th century. His symphonies and string quartets are mainstays of the repertoire. But Shostakovich is also a figure whose story raises challenging and exciting issues that go far beyond music: They touch on questions of conscience, of the moral role of the artist, of the plight of humanity in the face of total war and mass oppression, and of the inner life of history's bloodiest century.This DVD version features about 50 images, including portraits, drawings, and photographs. Professor Greenberg chose the musical excerpts, which total about one hour per course, to serve as concise "sonic illustrations" of his remarks on each composer's life and career.Course Lecture Titles1. Let the Controversy Begin 2. The Kid's Got Talent! 3. Lady Macbeth 4. Resurrection 5. The Great Patriotic War 6. Repression and Depression 7. The Thaw 8. Illness and Inspiration