Waltz Themes in String Quartets by D. Shostakovich: Semantic Aspect

Abstract

Genre is an essential source of musical semantics. The reliance upon the melodic and rhythmic expressions of some popular genres, composing the reality of Shostakovich’s contemporary music environment, is quite evident in the composer’s musical language. The analysis of the composer’s methods of work with the song and dance genre models, specific actualization of the typical features of such primary genres help the researchers understand the specificity of his composition world. The present article discusses the themes of quartets by D. Shostakovich originating from the genre of waltz.