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The Nose isn't the easiest of works by Shostakovich to appreciate, even on several hearings, and does take some getting used to. I've listened to my recording about 7 or 8 times over the last 20 years or so and still find it hard work, though it is still recognisably by Shostakovich and typical of his style at that period of time. Lady Macbeth though is one of the great 20th century operatic masterpieces IMO.
I would rank The Nose as one of the most, perhaps the most, "difficult" scores of Shostakovich's.
With Suffolkcoastal I am also struggling with the piece after half a dozen of times listening to it. Even my own method of getting into "difficult" music by taking it bit by bit time and again didn't work out that way.
I would urge all thus far unconvinceds to stick with this week's C(s)OTW: these were talented young guys still unrestrained and brimming over with enthusiasm tinged with mixed feelings, offering their versions of what modernism alone could offer the Soviet Republic by way of constructive criticism - and much more besides.
I am hearing directions in which the music might have evolved and matured, had it not been for the stalinist enforcements to come so shortly, down the road. Is there anyone today who, with that knowledge, can listen at ease to the later DSCH symphonies, string quartets, the Prokofiev ballets and piano sonatas, however magnificent the music?
Shame if not surprising we won't get to hear Shosta's Fourth Symphony, which lasts nearly an hour, after all!
If Roehre finds it difficult I am not even going to try it. I really only enjoy Mozart operas, otherwise new ones I heard years ago were interesting. Wagner is alright without all those words to drown out his music.
I would rank The Nose as one of the most, perhaps the most, "difficult" scores of Shostakovich's.
With Suffolkcoastal I am also struggling with the piece after half a dozen of times listening to it. Even my own method of getting into "difficult" music by taking it bit by bit time and again didn't work out that way.
Conclusion: it MUST be us
Roehre, I don't know this piece at all but if you struggle with it there is no hope for the rest of us.
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