With the Fall of the Berlin Wall, Soviet music came to Western Europe. Lots of Shostakovich, but also lesser-known figures like Mieczysław Weinberg.
As his name suggests, Mieczysław Weinberg (1919-1996) was born a Polish Jew. At the start of World War II, he chose the lesser of two evils: the Soviet Union under Stalin. That meant composing according to the rules of socialist realism. Within those strict parameters, Weinberg produced an impressive body of work, including 22 symphonies and 17 string quartets.
Today we will hear several of his chamber music works, including early works such as the Fourth String Quartet and the Piano Quintet. Here we hear Weinberg in his socialist realist mode. In his Second Sonata for Solo Violin, we hear the composer from a more individual perspective. It is now 1967 and composers are allowed to express more of their own voice. Compared to Shostakovich, Weinberg’s music is tighter, more consistent, and less ironic. Yet the many fans of Shostakovich will certainly be satisfied with this music.
- Capriccio for String Quartet, Op. 11
- String Quartet No. 4, Op. 20
- Sonata for Solo Violin No. 2, Op. 95
- String Quartet No. 8, Op. 66
- Piano Quintet, Op. 18
