Keir Starmer is listening to Shostakovich
NewsIn his speech to the Labour Party conference, the prime minister Starmer stressed the need to give opportunities to children, talking of his love of learning flute as a child. His first trip abroad, he mentioned was with the Croydon Youth Philharmonic Orchestra.
These days, he says, he turns to orchestral music when the ‘reviews aren’t that good’ and the pressure is high.
‘I’ve got some Shostakovich lined up for tomorrow,’ he quipped.
Which?
This –
This –
Or this?
Symphony No 7 – Londongrad
Somewhat ironic given how Shostakovich suffered under the Communist regime…..
Why Russian music for god’s sake?
Not very patriotic is it Starmer?
We are at war with Russia as if you did not know.
Stop boasting. Play some Elgar.
I like how you want him to play Elgar, known for his association with the empire, instead of Vaughan Williams who went around collecting folk songs – no surprise at all.
Oh, I do wonder if you’ve heard the other Elgar at all, like the two symphonies instead of Pump and Circumference Marches?
Oh quit being such a flag shagger.
Elgar is a great composer, long may he be played.
I genuinely love Elgar as well, especially for his original voice and orchestrational prowess. That said I listen to the Pomp and Circumstance marches on the toilet. The colonised peoples will love me for it!
It’s always good to see positive and respectful engagement.
I love Elgar, but a bit of Shostakovich is always welcome. At least someone in the public pay appreciates classical music, even if his politics are, well, non-existent beyond not being Rishi Sunak.
The 7th, last movement.
Chicago under Lenny.
Lord Big Dave hummed Shostakovich 5 on the Downing Street steps after the Brexit vote https://youtu.be/-Gz6mZYxS0A?si=vaxFFq_pH8GqwdeB
I think the first one “A Labour leader’s reply to just criticism” to misquote DSCH himself!
Top marks. Comment of the day.
How about the 5th Symphony ? – repent before the country for his pessimistic messaging..
It seems to be a rather dangerous sign if a Prime Minister, in these troubled times, turns to Shostakovich symphonies.
Maybe the Viola Sonata Op. 147?
If you really believe in music education and professional arts Kier, prove it and support us with real investment.
AND consider how many gifted young musicians are the recipient of a Music Scholarship at a private school (including those at Reigate Grammar School) or choristers in Choir Schools and other pupils at dedicated music schools), thereby enabling the parents whose income might otherwise be very modest, to be able cover any remaining fees – just….
Before VAT, of course.
That’s a nonsense contribution, there is no justification for school fees being exempt, they have increased fees 10-15% year on year over the last fifteen and even half-decent schools are awash with money and are grossly oversubscribed.
It’s like complaining about VAT on a Bentley.
If you really believe in music education and professional arts Keir, prove it and support us with real investment.
Have no fear, it is coming.
He is not going to encourage many pensioners to listen to Shostakovich when they are freezing in their homes this winter…
I am tempted to say that through Shostakovich, the pensioners could even survive Siberian conditions.
“I’ve got some Shostakovich lined up for tomorrow” … Well why not? It is Shostie’s birthday after all!
He’ll be enjoying it with some sausage, I’m betting.
Freed, of course
While reading Richard Dyer?
Таити трот Op. 16
between 3:30 pm and 5 pm
Shostakovich’s 8th Symphony might help us prepare for October’s Halloween budget.
He toured with CYPO. I imagine that’s under the baton of Arthur Davison. To quote one of maestro’s catchphrases: “Mothers aren’t here.” Character building (or destroying, depending on how one recalls it).
Hi Graham…I remember Arthur Davison from my time in the NYOW. The stock phrases, “Mother won’t be there” , ” The phone won’t ring dear” and “There are two kinds of musicians in this country, the quick and the dead – which kind are you?” still haunt me after almost 50 years of professional orchestral playing! When faced with a professional orchestra he was a different character – a pussycat…if you can imagine that…albeit a very large one.
For those who don’t do acronyms, and for our friends abroad, the CYPO is the Croydon Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and an orchestra akin to the London Schools Symphony Orchestra – all for state school kids across the board, not private schools – and both were fine orchestras from which the National Youth Orchestra were fed.
I’d be disappointed (but not surprised) to discover that the Prime Minister’s favorite Shostakovich symphonies alternate between the 2nd and the 3rd.
Presumably he meant Saustakovich?
Happy Birthday Dmitri!
Given his policy of embargoing arms to Israel while they fight the barbarians maybe he should listen to Babi Yar
He has done precisely the opposite in the teeth of considerable opposition. You reallyt don’t know when you’re well off.
He wrote a very eloquent introduction to the Leeds International Piano Competition last week. Does make some difference when a PM of any persuasion has had classical music – in his case the flute at the Guildhall School of Music – in the background of his upbringing.