Shostakovich’s Late Film Scores: The Gadfly, Hamlet, and King Lear

01/29/2011 20:00, Mandel Hall

No other major composer of the twentieth century devoted more of his career to film music than Dmitri Shostakovich. Altogether he composed scores to over 36 films, from New Babylon (1929) to King Lear (1971). While generally written in a more accessible idiom than most of his orchestral or chamber works, Shostakovich's film scores nevertheless boast meticulous craftsmanship and reveal the composer's complex and often paradoxical musical personality. Major excerpts from three of his mature film scores will be featured on tonight's program, conducted by USO Music Director Barbara Schubert.

Donations requested at the door: $10 general, $5 students

Related film screenings take place on Thursday, January 20 (Hamlet) and Thursday, January 27 (King Lear), both at 7 pm at the Film Studies Center, Cobb 307, 5811 S. Ellis Avenue. Online reservations begin January 3: filmstudiescenter.uchicago.edu

1131 E. 57th Street in Hyde Park, Chicago