Search - Dmitri Shostakovich, Mario Bernardi, Angela Chang :: Shostakovich: The Overcoat (Le Manteau)

Dimitri in a Jolly Mood

moe_d_anglais | 07/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This music was selected from Shostakovich's lesser known works to accompany a mimed version of Gogol's story The Overcoat, about a poor and very humble clerk lost in the woodwork of the big city. The story at first seems like low comedy, mock-heroic, but such is Gogol's sympathy for his characters that this soon acquires the feel of a genuine tragedy. The clerk, Akaki, becomes the butt of ridicule to his fellow clerks until he gets a gorgeous new coat, when he is wined and dined. Then his coat is stolen and he goes mad.The music selected shows us the light and ironic side of Shostakovich, with much use of the saxophone. Especially notable are some blue waltzes which sound funny and elegant all at once, and have the ability to make you feel you're floating on air. This disc is recommended to those who know Shostakovich only as the gloomy and titanic composer of the 5th and 10th symphonies."