Dmitri Shostakovich | Waltz No. 2 (1956)

The Suite for Variety Orchestra (1956) is a suite in eight movements by Dmitri Shostakovich. The work consists of a collection of movements which derive from other works by the composer. It is also named Suite for Variety Stage Orchestra, for example in Derek Hulme's Shostakovich catalogue.

For many years the Suite for Variety Orchestra was misidentified as the lost Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 2 (1938), a different work in three movements that was lost during World War II, the piano score of which was rediscovered in 1999 by Manashir Yakubov, and orchestrated the following year by Gerard McBurney.

According to a note by the composer, any number of the pieces may be played, and in any order. The order of movements given in the New Collected Works of Dmitri Shostakovich series is as follows:

March (in F major and 5-part rondo form, each episode in D major – B♭ major)

Dance 1 (in A major and ternary form, middle section in F major)

Dance 2 (in D major and ternary form, middle section in C major)

Little Polka (in D major and ternary form)

Lyric Waltz (in C minor and ternary form, middle section in A♭ major)

Waltz 1 (in E♭ major – B♭ major – G♭ major and ternary form, middle section in A major, ends in E♭ major)

Waltz 2 (in C minor and ternary form, middle section in E♭ major – A♭ major)

Finale (in F major)