August 08, 2025

Dmitry Shostakovich (1906-1975)

1 hour 11 minutes

Donald Macleod explores Dmitri Shostakovich’s life during the years of World War II, a period indelibly linked to his most famous work – the ‘Leningrad’ symphony - which became an international symbol of resistance against the Nazis when it was performed by an orchestra suffering from the effects of starvation during the siege of the city.

Music Featured:

Funeral march in Memory of Victims of the Revolution

Piano Concerto No 2 in F Major, Op 102 (2nd mvt, Andante)

Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk District (Act IV, Vstaváy! Po mestám! Zívo!)

Symphony No 5 in D minor, Op 47 (4th mvt, Allegro non troppo)

Piano Quintet in G minor, Op 57 (1st mvt, Prelude – Lento)

Symphony no 7, Op.60 “Leningrad” (2nd mvt, Moderato)

King Lear (excerpt)

The tale of the priest and his servant Balda, Op 36 (Finale)

Symphony No 1 in F minor, Op 10 (2nd mvt, Allegro)

Rothschild’s violin (excerpt)

Piano Sonata No 1, Op 12

Symphony No 7 in C Major, Op 60 “Leningrad” (1st mvt, Allegretto)

Counterplan, Op 33 (Song of the Counterplan)

The Golden Age Suite, Op 22a (2nd mvt, Adagio)

Preludes, Op 34 (Nos 9-13)

Romances on English poets, Op 62

Sonata No 2 in D minor, Op 61 (3rd mvt, Moderato)

Moscow-Chryomushki, Op 105 (1st mvt, A Spin through Moscow)

Zoya Suite, Op 64a (1st mvt, Song about Zoya)

Cello Concerto No 1 in E flat major, Op 107 (2nd mvt, Moderato)

Symphony No 8, Op 65 (4th mvt, Largo)

Piano Trio No 2 in E minor, Op 67 (4th mvt, Allegretto)

Four Pushkin Romances (No 1, Rebirth)

String Quartet No 2 in A major, Op 68 (3rd mvt, Valse Allegro)

Symphony No 9 in E-flat major, Op 70 (5th mvt, Allegretto)

Violin Concerto No 1 in A minor, Op 99 (1st mvt, Nocturne)

From Jewish Poetry (No 8, Winter)

Symphony No 13 (1st mvt, Babi Yar. Adagio)

Presented by Donald Macleod

Produced by Sam Phillips for BBC Audio Wales & West

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Dmitry Shostakovich (1906-1975) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002gdl6

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z

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By BBC Radio 3

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