Shostakovich Symphony #6: A Story for Children

It is clear to me that if one is bold enough to take one's child to the symphony, one needs some tales to spin.  Most recently, I took my son to the Denver Philharmonic to hear, among other things, Shostakovich's 6th Symphony.  And a story was needed.  This is not a symphony for the neophyte.  It doesn't lure you in with an exciting first movement, and it is, as my Russian professor used to say "Typical Russian music, unhappy and full of notes."

I. Largo

The first movement is long and very slow . . . not kid-friendly.  So here is where the story begins . . .

A decree has gone out from the king - everyone is to come to the central square for an announcement.  But Ben's mother is busy on their farm, so she sends him instead.  Off he goes, through the deep dark forest, to the city.  He walks very very slowly, trying to make as little noise as possible, but all around him are noises.  There are bugs and birds, and big lumbering noises that sound like elephants bashing through the trees.  Ben decides there are ghosts in the woods, and tries to walk even more quietly to escape their notice.  The forest walk goes on and on, so much longer than when he runs through it alongside his father.  It seems to take forever, but just as he thinks he can't stand the sounds of all these ghosts a second longer, it is done.

II. Allegro

Ben realizes that some of the noises he heard were just other people on other paths, coming toward the city.   Big lumbering carts, skipping children, plodding grandfathers, all merge onto a single path, hurrying and fretting, wondering what the king wants.  He walks faster, filled with more energy, and enjoying the sounds of the people around him.  There are policemen periodically, trying to keep everything orderly and moving along.  He follows different groups, listening to their conversations, enjoying all the bustle.  At last, they arrive at the square.

III. Presto

The king announces that he has called them all there for a dancing contest.  He will walk among them and give out prizes of sacks of gold.  The crowd goes wild, frenzied, trying to dance well enough to please the king.  They bump into each other, back off, and bump again.  The children, delighted to see all the adults in so much motion, flit in between legs.  The policemen try to dance, but seem too stiff.  The old men sway back and forth, stomping their feet and trying to maintain their dignity.  The dance continues as people fall out, rest, and come in again.  Through it all weaves the king, handing out prizes, seemingly arbitrarily, until suddenly no one can dance any more and the music stops.