It’s around that time of the year–that time when, six years ago, I found myself pulled into, first, the story of the siege of Leningrad and Shostakovich’s Symphony no. 7, and then, inexorably in retrospect, deep into all of his music. It’s a passion that really shows no signs of abating, although my rather insane series of trips chasing his music does seem to be winding down as the boxes are ticked off. I don’t expect to completely stop seeking out his music, but I do expect that, once my trip to Philadelphia is complete, the longer trips will largely be complete. (The one exception would be to see a performance of Symphony no. 13.) The whole odyssey started in April of 2018, with a performance by the Niagara Symphony Orchestra of Symphony no. 5. Since then, I’ve seen the following:

Symphony no. 1: 2023, Toronto Symphony
Symphony no. 4: 2019, Nashville Symphony
Symphony no. 5: I’ve almost lost track. After 2018 with the NSO, I’ve seen it three times with the TSO (including two performances a couple of days apart last year), once with an ad hoc orchestra for a charity concert, once with the OSM, once with the Royal Conservatory Orchestra, and once with the NY Phil.
Symphony no. 6: 2019, Chatauqua Festival
Symphony no. 7: 2019, Columbus Symphony; 2023, Orchestre Metropolitain de Montreal
Symphony no. 8: 2019, Detroit Symphony; 2023, Chicago Symphony
Symphony no. 9: 2021, National Arts Centre Orchestra, OSM
Symphony no. 10: Twice with the TSO; once with the Royal Conservatory Orchestra, 2022, OSM; 2023, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra (RIP–one of their last performances)
Symphony no. 11: Twice with the Grand Rapids Symphony, 2020.
Symphony no. 13: OSM, 2029 (without soloist)
Symphony no. 14: 2021, Kindred Spirits Orchestra
Symphony no. 15: 2021, OSM and Kindred Spirits Orchestra
Other symphonic works: Festive Overture; Overture on Russian and Kirghiz Folk Themes

Concerto for Piano and Trumpet: 2018, Bravo Niagara Festival (also: the op. 11 Octet). Also once (performed live) as the score to a ballet performed by the National Ballet of Canada
Piano Concerto no. 2: Once with the RCO, once with Kindred Spirits
Violin Concerto no. 1: 2019, Cleveland Orchestra; 2023, Orchestra Toronto
Violin Concerto no. 2: 2022, Detroit Symphony
Cello Concerto no. 1: once with the RCO; 2023, Boston Symphony (Yo Yo Ma)
Cello Concerto no. 2: 2019, TS); 2023, Boston Symphony

String Quartets: Complete Cycle, 2023, Alexander String Quartet. Plus individual performances of Quartets no. 3(twice), 7, 8, and 9. Plus orchestrated versions of String Quartet no. 8 (Pro Musica of Columbus; Simfonia Toronto ) and Quartet no. 1 (Simfonia Toronto)

Piano Trio no 2: I believe it’s up to four performances now. Piano Quintet: Also, either 4 or 5. Piano Trio no. 1: 2019. Viola Sonata: 2019. Cello Sonata: 2023, two separate performances within three days of each other. 
Preludes and Fugues: 2022 (Igor Levit, Carnegie Hall)
Michelangelo Suite: 2019
Plus an assortment of the op. 34 Preludes
Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk: 2022
The Nose: 2023

This year I still have upcoming performances of Symphony no. 4 (Philadelphia), Symphony no. 10 (TSO) and Symphony no. 5 (NACO).

So what’s the future look like? 
I will continue to attend TSO, NSO, or HPO performances, or local chamber performances of anything by Shostakovich and will consider OSM, Orchestre Metropolitain, or NACO performances. I am very torn about anything in the US. I guess it will depend on the election outcomes. I have all kinds of reasons to want to get to Cincinnati (and Columbus). 

I would very much like to see a performance of Symphony no. 13 where the bass soloist doesn’t take ill.
Other than that, the remaining unicorns are true rarities: Fully-staged versions of any of his ballets (I know Alexei Ratmansky has choreographed both The Bolt and The Bright Stream, but I think the Bolshoi owns the rights to them, and good luck with that now); the three remaining symphonies I have not yet seen (widely known as Shostakovich’s least successful; I’m not sure how far I’d travel for them, although Symphony no. 2 I have a real fondness for); his operetta Moscow, Cheryomuski (which Chicago Opera Theater staged in 2012–good luck finding that one again) or any of his wacky near-vaudeville works from the early 30s (e.g. Orango or Hypothetically Murdered); or–the biggest unicorn of them all: Antiformalist Rayok. Of the chamber works, either of the piano sonatas–but especially, the bonkers Piano Sonata no. 1–or the violin sonata would definitely interest me. 

I haven’t stopped with the embroidery (latest one, completed last week, is part of this post), but the pace has slowed down. I’m currently stitching the design on my favourite Shostakovich sweatshirt; I love Redbubble but their designs–at least on sweatshirts–aren’t all that durable.

And I’m still very much involved with DSCH Journal, moving into more writing; the next issue will have reviews of Yo Yo Ma’s concert with the BSO and The Nose.

Next year is the 50th anniversary of Shostkovich’s death. I wonder whether that will mean more programming for his works?

*****
Other things that have happened in the last month or so:

Known World Colour: Online event, succeeded beyond our wildest dreams with 26 classes scheduled (although we lost a couple of them to Real Life Issues).

Other SCA things: Ugh, Peerage Committee drama. Will see where that goes. I’ve been a member for over seven years, and the possibility that that work could just be tossed out is very real. 

The Holidays: Made it through without getting sick. Lots of time with friends. Have been pretty much goblin/hermit mode in January due to just needing recovery time, weather, and not a lot of options for things to do after the holiday blitz. We did go to see the lights at the Royal Botanical Gardens in early January, which was lovely but I think would have been more festive before Christmas.

Last weekend we did go over to a friend’s place, so there is that, and there was a Pathfinder game day the weekend before last in Guelph. But no concerts this month, and no travel.

Work: I was reminded again how much things have changed for the better with my now-not-so-new job; I had a great performance review this week. Next week I’m off to Thunder Bay for in-person presentations. Still loving what I do. Still loving my employer. Learned how to record a video of a website demo on my phone!

Travel planning: As mentioned, fingers are crossed right now for my trip to Philadelphia for Shostakovich 4. I’ve booked in glassmaking sessions at the Corning Museum of Glass for the way there, and will stop by to pick them up on the way home. I’ve also found a zoo in Binghampton, NY that has a Pallas’ Cat/manul, and am hoping to stop by. I’d hoped to visit a synagogue designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, but it’s being used on the day I had hoped to tour.

Finally, just a spectacular video of how Titanic broke up, including where all of the pieces found on the sea bed went.