Shostakovich Sonata No. 2 Mov 3 Finale. Valentina Lisitsa

from 1st and 2nd movement video. The last movement, a finale. Those words have more meaning here than in many other sonatas, with Chopin B Flat minor a n only possible similarity. This movement is a set of variations, written on a very simple, folksong like theme. This opening theme is for one hand only an ultimate expression of loneliness and desolation in music. A set of variations follows the theme, some maniacally busy and highstrung, some solemn and grave. Few last ones are worth our particular attention to listen to. Just like in other movements everything is in minor key and ANY sign of major( usually a symbol of something nicer, happier, gentler in music ) pierces the music like a ray of a bloodied sunrise on an eve of a storm. We get more and more major 5 :20 when octaves in left hand are decidedly major, then Then, 7:00 we enter the final agony in the drama of life. This variation is hauntingly similar to br, br,