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      Located in Europe Located in Europe
        • Dmitri Shostakovich

        • The Big Lightning [The Great Lightning], unfinished opera (1933)

        • Dmitri Shostakovich Estate (USA, Canada and Mexico only)

        G Schirmer is the publisher of the work in the USA, Canada and Mexico only. Le Chant du Monde is the publisher of the work in France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Andorra, French speaking African countries.

        • 2+pic.2+ehn.2+Ebcl.2+cbn/3.4.3.1/timp.perc. glock.xyl.hp/str
        • SATB
        • S, 4T, Bar, 3B
        • 18 min

        Programme Note

        Popular music was always a big part of Shostakovich's work. In 1932 he decided to try his hand at operetta. The project was abanadoned shortly after he started and all that survives are these nine numbers from the first act. They are enough to show us that 'The Great Lightning' would have been a sparkling and satirical piece about the visit of a Soviet delegation to a corrupt Western capitalist country.

        This surviving music shows the young Shostakovich in his most light-hearted mood. It is full of deft parodies and catchy tunes that vividly evoke the popular songs and dances of the 1920s and '30s. The final item is a purely instrumental number, a lively procession of dancing models down the catwalk in a fashion show. The whole sequence lasts only just over a quarter of an hour, and would make a charming addition to a concert of light-music favourites.

        Note by Gerard McBurney

        ______________________________________

        1. Overture (Allegro)
        2. Scene (Allegro)
        3. The Architect’s Song (Allegretto)
        4. Scene with an American (Allegro)
        5. Maiofel’s Song (The Factory Owner’s Song) (Andantino)
        6. Telephone Calls (Allegretto)
        7. Semyon’s Song (Andantino)
        8. Duet of Egor and Semyon (Allegro)
        9. March of the Models (Andantino)