Symphony No. 1

Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 1 in F Minor was a tremendous success from its premiere and is still considered today as one of his finest works. It displays an interesting and characteristic combination of liveliness and wit on the one hand, and drama and tragedy on the other. In some ways it is reminiscent of the works of Igor Stravinsky and Sergei Prokofiev. The transparent and chamber-like orchestration of the First Symphony is in quite a contrast to the complex and sophisticated Mahlerian orchestrations found in many of his later symphonies, and the assurance with which the composer imagines, then realizes large scale structure, is as impressive as his vigor and freshness of gesture. This newly engraved edition includes alternate transpositions for B flat clarinets and trumpets to make this masterpiece accessible to student and community orchestras, as well as professional groups.