Many consider that Shostakovich is the greatest 20th-century composer. In his 15 symphonies, 15 quartets, and in other works he demonstrated mastery of the largest and most challenging forms with music of great emotional power and technical invention:All his works are marked by emotional extremes - tragic intensity, grotesque and bizarre wit, humour, parody, and savage sarcasm.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- This is a bio note describing Shostakovich's mastery and emotional range across his works.
- In plain terms
- Shostakovich is considered a great composer with powerful, technically skilled music.
- What can you take from it?
- Shostakovich mastered complex musical forms with emotional power.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes a composer great?
- How do you measure emotional power in music?
Another view
This reflects critical opinion which may vary among listeners.
More from Dmitri Shostakovich
He did not write about this war and that revolution, but about war and revolution in general, the state of mind and emotion, not facts.
Permalink to quote #32 He is thinner, taller, younger - more boyish-looking - than expected, but he is also the shyest and most nervous human being I have ever seen. He chews not mer…
Permalink to quote #34 Not since the time of Berlioz has a symphonic composer created such a stir. In far-away America, great conductors vie with each other for the jus primae noctis…
Permalink to quote #31
Related quotes
This music is forever for me. It's the stage thing, that rush moment that you live for. It never lasts, but that's what you live for.
Bruce SpringsteenBruce Springsteen quote #1 The piano is always true to me. In times of despair, happiness, and joy, its mood is always my own.
Bradley JosephBradley Joseph quote #1 Illustrious acts high raptures do infuse, And every conqueror creates a muse.
Edmund WallerEdmund Waller quote #2