What Lessons Can We Learn from Shostakovich's Life Journey?
In confronting the challenge of modernization, the Russians can be said to have taken a remarkably pioneering and bold path.
Author: GUDORDI | 2024-09-12
Behind every great work of art, there is a beast, a tamed beast.
Behind every great piece of art, there is a wild animal──tamed.──Ludwig Wittgenstein
In the previous article, I discussed the impact that modernization has had on human society. This is a profound and important topic. One could even argue that the history of the past few centuries is, in essence, a story of how different cultures have each confronted and adapted to the advent of modernity in their different ways. This perspective also offers valuable insights into understanding today’s global landscape and the deeper question of what humanity is ultimately striving to achieve. Let us begin with the case of Russia, as its experience provides important lessons and points of reference for China and other cultures.
The Deeper Reason Behind the Powerful Emotional Impact of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony
When it comes to confronting the challenge associated with the advent of modernity, the Russians can be said to have taken a remarkably pioneering and bold path. Looking back, Russia’s journey was highly turbulent, filled with countless stories of triumph and tragedy. Many of the joys and sorrows involved may be understood fully only by Russians themselves. For outsiders seeking to grasp the emotions these upheavals evoked, perhaps the best approach is through the works of Russia’s modern composers, artists, and writers. In previous articles, I discussed the ideas of the Russian novelist and philosopher Ayn Rand. This time, I will explore the inner journey of the Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich.
Some have argued that the most inspiring and uplifting work in the history of music is Ode to Joy, the finale of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. In many ways, it echoes the themes found in his Fifth Symphony, often known as the “Fate” Symphony.
Fate—or providence—often plays cruel tricks on people. Beethoven was certainly among the greatest musical geniuses in human history, yet he became deaf and lived under considerable financial hardship. Despite these harsh circumstances, he however remained fearless and resolute, pressing forward with his musical creations and refusing to surrender in his struggle against fate. Scholars who have studied Beethoven point out that he was already completely deaf when composing Ode to Joy. In other words, he may have worked on the piece with the determination that “even if I can no longer hear it, I must still complete it.”
Indeed, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony was his final symphony. Just over two years after completing it, he passed away. It is therefore likely that, while composing Ode to Joy, Beethoven understood that his lifelong battle against fate and the harsh realities of existence might culminate in this very work.
To borrow the famous remark by Ludwig Wittgenstein mentioned earlier, Beethoven’s Ninth may be seen as the trace left behind by a man attempting, with nothing but his own strength, to tame the fierce beast of fate and the immensely complex emotions within himself. The blood, tears, immense courage, and endless dedication embedded in that struggle may well be the deeper reason why Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony possesses such extraordinary emotional power.
Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony Can Rival Beethoven’s Ode to Joy
Indeed, when it comes to inspiring and uplifting the human spirit, the heights reached by Beethoven’s Ode to Joy may be unmatched. However, if one were to identify a piece capable of standing alongside it, the author would nominate Symphony No. 5 by Dmitri Shostakovich.
Many years ago, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra invited Shostakovich’s son to Hong Kong to conduct performances of his father’s classic works. The author was fortunate enough to attend the concert, and to this day I vividly remember the passion, exhilaration, and sense of anticipation conveyed in the final section of the symphony.
It is worth noting that Shostakovich initially held great enthusiasm and hope for the Russian October Revolution. His Symphony No. 2 was even subtitled To October. Although his music later came under official criticism, he appears to have retained a strong sense of identification with his country and people. The subtitle of his Fifth Symphony, A Soviet Artist’s Creative Response to Just Criticism, reflects this connection.
Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony seems to express the joy and excitement felt by an entire generation—or perhaps even a nation and a people—at the long-awaited arrival of a future they had hoped for over many years. Yet beneath that excitement lies a subtle awareness of reality and its complexities. To fully appreciate the impact that later political persecution had on Shostakovich, one must first understand the depth of his patriotism and idealism.
In 1936, the Soviet Union entered the period known as the Great Purge, often referred to as the “Great Terror.” Many of Shostakovich’s friends and relatives became victims of political repression, being imprisoned or even losing their lives.
Shostakovich’s Personal Journey Is Worth Reflecting Upon
Understanding this chapter of Shostakovich’s life is essential to appreciating why the styles of his Fifth and Tenth Symphonies are so markedly different. Symphony No. 10 was premiered in 1953, shortly after the death of Joseph Stalin. Some commentators have suggested that its second movement is a musical portrayal of Stalin. Shostakovich, however, never acknowledged this interpretation, insisting that the symphony was concerned with human emotions rather than politics. Whether this was his genuine view remains impossible to know. Even if the work did contain an implicit indictment of Stalin, it may not have been something he could openly admit.
There is little doubt that Shostakovich once held deep enthusiasm and hope for the October Revolution. Yet the reality he witnessed differed considerably from what he had originally envisioned. Despite this, he appears never to have abandoned his respect for Vladimir Lenin. His son, however, would eventually leave Russia.
It can therefore be said that Shostakovich’s music cannot be separated from the historical circumstances in which he lived or from his personal experiences. His artistic journey offers a valuable lens through which we can better understand Russia’s historical path and the emotional complexities that accompanied it. By reflecting on his life and work, we may gain a deeper appreciation of both the aspirations and the tragedies that shaped modern Russian history.