The Gadfly, Dmitri Shostakovich

The music was created for the film “The Gadfly”, directed by Alexander Feinzimmer(also responsible for Prokofiev’s Lieutenant Kiji). It was first shown in 1955. The film was based on a swashbuckling book by Ethel Lilian Voynich. It is set in occupied Austria-occupied Italy in the 19th century and tells of a freedom fighter known as the “Gadfly” as his sting so maddens the authorities. It follows his adventures until he finally meets his end facing a firing squad.

Part of my routine of waking is listening to Essential Classics on radio 3. All the presenters are extremely knowledgable on radio 3, but I do have a soft spot for Rob Cowen and Sarah Walker. A couple of weeks ago the comedian Rob Newman was a guest. One of his musical choices was the Gadfly. Often in the morning I might think oh that’s an interesting piece of music and then forget about it. fortunately this time I managed to scribble the name down. I managed to find it for a budget price thanks to those people at Naxos. It’s a lively and invigorating piece of music. The Naxos version is conducted by Theodore Kuchar with the Ukraine National Symphony Orchestra.