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Shostakovich’s Piano Works: Masterpieces by a Giant of the Symphony

Dmitri Shostakovich, a Soviet-era composer lauded as “the greatest symphonist since Gustav Mahler” and “the greatest composer of the 20th century.”

While many of his works are marked by a heavy, brooding tone that seems to reflect the spirit of the times, he also left numerous pieces that weave in charm and quirkiness—likely influenced by his fondness for popular music and jazz.

In this article, we’ll introduce some of Shostakovich’s most popular piano works—pieces that are frequently featured in concert programs.

Playlist

Shostakovich’s Piano Works: Masterpieces by a Giant of the Symphony
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastChildren’s Album, Op. 69: No. 1 ‘March’Dmitri Shostakovich
Children's Album, Op. 69: No. 1 'March'Dmitri Shostakovichplay_arrow
Shostakovich’s works for children
2eastDoll’s DanceDmitri Shostakovich
Doll's DanceDmitri Shostakovichplay_arrow
A friendly collection of ballet excerpts by Shostakovich
3eastAcrobatDmitri Shostakovich
AcrobatDmitri Shostakovichplay_arrow
Shostakovich’s piano piece, a masterpiece brimming with a sense of speed
4east24 Preludes, Op. 34: No. 24 in D minorDmitri Shostakovich
24 Preludes, Op. 34: No. 24 in D minorDmitri Shostakovichplay_arrow
Shostakovich’s 24 Preludes were composed with Chopin as a reference.
5eastThree Fantastic Dances, Op. 5Dmitri Shostakovich
Three Fantastic Dances, Op. 5Dmitri Shostakovichplay_arrow
A masterful dance piece from Shostakovich’s student days
6eastPiano Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op. 102Dmitri Shostakovich
Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op. 102Dmitri Shostakovichplay_arrow
A joyous concerto that Shostakovich gifted to his son
7eastWaltz No. 2 (Second Waltz)Dmitri Shostakovich
Waltz No. 2 (Second Waltz)Dmitri Shostakovichplay_arrow
Shostakovich’s Masterpiece, Waltz No. 2
8east24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87: No. 15 in D-flat majorDmitri Shostakovich
24 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 87: No. 15 in D-flat majorDmitri Shostakovichplay_arrow
Shostakovich’s highly difficult Prelude and Fugue
9eastSuite for Two Pianos in F-sharp minor, Op. 6Dmitri Shostakovich
Suite for Two Pianos in F-sharp minor, Op. 6Dmitri Shostakovichplay_arrow
Shostakovich’s masterful piano suite composed at age 16
10eastPiano Sonata No. 1, Op. 12Dmitri Shostakovich
Piano Sonata No. 1, Op. 12Dmitri Shostakovichplay_arrow
Shostakovich’s innovative piano sonata
11eastPiano Sonata No. 2, Op. 61Dmitri Shostakovich
Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 61Dmitri Shostakovichplay_arrow
Shostakovich’s Masterpiece, Piano Sonata No. 2
12eastPiano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67Dmitri Shostakovich
Piano Trio No. 2 in E minor, Op. 67Dmitri Shostakovichplay_arrow
Shostakovich’s wartime masterpiece
13eastPiano Quintet in G minor, Op. 57Dmitri Shostakovich
Piano Quintet in G minor, Op. 57Dmitri Shostakovichplay_arrow
A masterpiece of Shostakovich’s Piano Quintet
14eastPiano Concerto No. 1 in C minor, Op. 35Dmitri Shostakovich
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C minor, Op. 35Dmitri Shostakovichplay_arrow
Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1
15eastFuneral March in Memory of the Victims of the RevolutionDmitri Shostakovich
Funeral March in Memory of the Victims of the RevolutionDmitri Shostakovichplay_arrow
Funeral March for Shostakovich