Shostakovich Waltz 2: Interesting Qualities about This Masterpiece

Musical works like Shostakovich Waltz 2, created by the Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich, are no less than fuel to inspire every new generation of music buffs. This musical piece is so interesting to music enthusiasts that they keep looking for it in virtual music libraries.

Musical works like Shostakovich Waltz 2, created by the Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich, are no less than fuel to inspire every new generation of music buffs. This musical piece is so interesting to music enthusiasts that they keep looking for it in virtual music libraries. 
As a matter of fact, they also look for some information about this work to get a better idea of it. 

Are you one of those music freaks who want to know more about this masterpiece? If yes, reading this page will enable you to learn about the following: 

•    Composition and premiere time of Shostakovich Waltz 2
•    The qualities that make it a masterpiece 
•    Some more interesting facts about the timeless composition

When did the Composition and Premiere of Waltz 2 Happen? 

Dmitri Shostakovich originally wrote what we know as the Waltz No. 2 in 1955-56 for his score (Op.99). This composition was for the film The First Echelon (Pervyi eshelon), which was directed by Mikhail Kalatozov. 

The premiere of Shostakovich Waltz 2 happened on April 29, 1956. This piece was also a part of the Suite from The First Echelon (Op. 99a), which was arranged by Levon Atovmyan and Shostakovich in the year 1956. 

The BSO (Boston Symphony Orchestra) has never performed the Waltz No. 2. However, Keith Lockhart did lead a Boston Pops performance of the waltz in a program that was a celebration of the Ballet Russes in May 2009. 

In the last years of 1950s, an unknown person, who could be Shostakovich himself, organized an orchestral suite from ballet, musical theater, and film music of the 1930s and 1950s. This suite was considered, by mistake, for many years the Suite for Jazz Orchestra, No. 2. Now, it’s correctly called the Suite for Variety Orchestra. Waltz No. 2 is the 7th of 8 numbers in the Suite for Variety Orchestra. 

What Makes This Composition So Interesting? 

It begins with a march-like ¾ accompaniment from the strings and drums. After that, the character and tempo of the composition are soon set. First, the main melody is played by the alto saxophone, highlighting the ‘variety’ aspect of the orchestration. 

The timbre of the alto saxophone with the sparse march accompaniment produces the signature uneasy atmosphere, which makes this waltz famous. It could be read as a romantic waltz. However, the contrast between the darkness and lightness found in the music makes it uniquely amazing. 

The way Dmitri Shostakovich used tuned percussion and bells makes the charming drama noticeable. It is created as the primary melody and passed around the orchestra. The purpose of strings is accompaniment and keeping the ‘oom pah pah’ rhythm driving. It could also be that these strings are leading the tonality into the major with long, flowing melodic phrases. The trombone solo appearing in the middle of the piece is probably one of the most loved classical trombone solos. 

Throughout the composition, the relentless bass line is easily noticeable. This bass line is with the double basses and snare drum being the consistent parts of this line. The construction of this musical composition is evocative of a toy soldier march. Moreover, the lightness of the melody produces even more of a haunting beauty within. 

It's just a short waltz, but it's a timeless masterpiece. As a matter of fact, its success has not wavered even in the modern day. It’s one of those masterpieces that never become boring, such as Cello Sonata No. 3 by Beethoven, which finds its place in every cello repertoire list and is also loved by piano buffs. 

Some More Interesting Facts about Shostakovich Waltz 2 

This piece of music was mislabeled as the ‘lost’ suite for Jazz Orchestra #2. In fact, Waltz 2 was recorded by Riccardo Chailly and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra under that name. The jazz suite, which was real and lost in WWII, was rediscovered in 1999, putting the record straight. 

It’s something like Fur Elise, which was written in 1810 and published in 1867. The composition by Beethoven was so deeply melodic and full of nostalgic feeling that piano buffs look for the Fur Elise sheet music in digital libraries. 

The name Waltz 2, ‘variety orchestra’, is considered better than ‘jazz orchestra’. It’s because the group incorporates a celeste, harp, and accordion besides a saxophone section. 

This suite is regarded as the only musical composition Shostakovich created that had an accordion, and it has secured a place in the hearts of accordion players across the world. 

Conclusion 

Some of the interesting qualities that make Shostakovich Waltz 2, composed by Dmitri Shostakovich, so special are its beginning with a march-like ¾ accompaniment from the strings and drums, and the relentless bass line, which is easily noticed throughout the composition. 
Another interesting thing about this masterpiece is the lightness of the melody that creates even more of a haunting beauty within.