Symphony No. 1 in F minor
Dmitri Shostakovich
Work background
Researched classical background
Shostakovich completed his First Symphony as a conservatory graduation work while still a teenager. Its orchestration often behaves like chamber music, passing exposed lines among solo instruments; a piano becomes especially noticeable in the scherzo. The four movements already juxtapose wit, abrupt changes of character and sustained lyricism, establishing a highly individual public debut.
A listening guide
Listen for the piano in the scherzo and the isolated wind solos in the opening.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Orchestra including piano
Composition: 1925
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Date, title and version notes
The supplied candidate omitted minor from the key; corrected to F minor.
Eastman School of Music: Shostakovich First Symphony
Conservatory origins and orchestral musical guide | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Boosey & Hawkes / Sikorski: Shostakovich chronological work list
Work dates, opuses, keys, voices and revision information | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Eastman School of Music: Shostakovich First Symphony
Conservatory origins and orchestral musical guide | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Boosey & Hawkes / Sikorski: Shostakovich chronological work list
Work dates, opuses, keys, voices and revision information | Reviewed 2026-10-19
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