This is still one of his lesser-known works, but one of my all-time favorites, up there with the 5th and 10 th symphonies, and the 8th and 9th string quartets.

Loved it, but never would have guessed it was Shostakovich.

a funny thing is that in Russia the audience loved the chorus part but were confused by the instrumental section, while in the rest of Europe the audiences were thrilled by the instrumental section but not the chorus part.

It's a shame more conductors don't go for Shostakovich's direction to use a factory whistle just before the choral section (a note in the score says if a factory whistle cannot be found, the brass instruments simply play a note in unison). Neeme Jarvi's DG recording uses both factory whistle and siren to amazing effect.

Most people, myself included, would prefer the 1st, but this is a very interesting work if nothing else, and I do agree that it is a remarkable achievement. This is one of the most bizarre pieces of music I have ever heard.

２番の演奏では、僕はこれが一番好きです。ラウドで、パワーがあって、最後のシュプレヒコールも感動的です。

A really skillfully shaped performance of this symphony -- and this is a piece onto which shape is hard to project! (But as other posters have said, I wish they'd used the factory whistle, which even further narrativizes the piece.) I loved the urgency and absolute commitment of the performance, even when the polyphony gets really tangled. Thanks for posting!

It does bear a resemblance, by its position, to the cruiser 'Aurora' docked in Leningrad - the ship that fired the first shots at the Winter palace on November 7, 1917 ('October 25').

It's a very underestimated work as there are some interesting, even profound, musical moments in it. Overall a remarkable achievement for a composer who was only just into his 20s at the time he composed it, comparable to the 1st symphony, I'd go so far to say.

Incredible chorus ending.

Shostakovich was, by all accounts, embarrassed by both this and the Third, but he was responding to government commissions and, in the Soviet Union, one could only guess as to what might have happened had he refused. Politics and the propagandistic texts aside, there is no denying the greatness of Shostakovich's music. This and a handful of other scores in the late 1920's represent the maximum extent of his "experimental" phase.

This is beautiful!

This is one of the best renditions of the opening section. In many other recordings it is almost inaudible. I thought the chorus sounded a little thin in places, tho' - I was expecting a slightly fuller tone. The orchestra was great.

Obvious, he is an contemporary of Eisenstein, Maykovski, artists Daineko, he is still part of Proletkult vanguard revolutionary art ...

Spectacular,g l o r i o u s!!!

Here are the English lyrics of Alexander Bezymensky, as copied from the Symphony's Wikipedia page: We marched, we asked for work and bread. Our hearts were gripped in a vice of anguish. Factory chimneys towered up towards the sky Like hands, powerless to clench a fist. Terrible were the names of our shackles: Silence, suffering, oppression. But louder than gunfire there burst into the silence Words of our torment, words of our suffering. Oh, Lenin! You forged freedom through suffering, You forged freedom from our toil-hardened hands. We knew, Lenin, that our fate Bears a name: Struggle. Struggle! You led us to the final battle. Struggle! You gave us the victory of Labour. And this victory over oppression and darkness None can ever take away from us! Let all in the struggle be young and bold: The name of this victory is October! October! The messenger of the awaited dawn. October! The freedom of rebellious ages. October! Labour, joy and song. October! Happiness in the fields and at the work benches, This is the slogan and this is the name of living generations: October, the Commune and Lenin.

That is where Schnitke comes from.....

The ship was built in 1927, the same year Shostakovich wrote Symphony #2. It's a British ship though, so I don't see any other connection.

Ironically, when the choir comes in, it reminds me of Howard Hanson's 'Song Of Democracy'. I find it quite amusing.

By all means, the factory whistle should be incorporated. Too bad DSCH was not pleased with this symphony, as it is a compelling work all things said and done. This is as committed a performance as one would expect from a Russian orchestra and chorus.

I like this piece a lot. Pure DSCH...:) !

me gusto!!!!

Does anyone know if the photo of the docked "Spurn" bears any relevance to the music or the composer?

It reminds me of Potemkin...

Why the photo of Hull?

None whatsoever as far as I can see. The uploader appears to be from Yorkshire; Spurn Point extends into the North Sea from that county's rapidly eroding east coast, and this lightship prevents other ships from colliding with it...perhaps a ship signifies a journey, with DSCH as one who warns...

Definitely not one of his best symphonies - Shostakovich didn't like it himself. However, the patriotism behind it is beautiful.

☭

sounds of cymals are awful