
Leningrad
Donald Macleod explores Shostakovich’s relationship with Leningrad, the city of his birth, and the music of his famous score which relates to the time of the city’s greatest trial
Donald Macleod explores Shostakovich’s relationship with Leningrad, the city of his birth, and the music of his most famous and expansive score which relates to the time of the city’s greatest trial
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.
In Tuesday’s programme, Donald explores Shostakovich’s relationship with Leningrad, exploring his studies, his work teaching at the city’s conservatoire, the ups and downs of his turbulent marriage, and the music of his most famous and expansive score which relates to the time of the city’s greatest trial – the siege of Leningrad.
The tale of the priest and his servant Balda, Op 36 (Finale)
Leipzig MDR Symphony Orchestra
Dmitri Kitayenko, conductor
Symphony No 1 in F minor, Op 10 (2nd mvt, Allegro)
Russian National Orchestra
Vladimir Jurowski, conductor
Veniamin Fleishman/ Dmitri Shostakovich
Rothschild’s violin – Wedding Band; Ty chto igraesh
USSR ministry of Culture Orchestra
Gennady Rozhdestvensky, conductor
Piano Sonata No 1, Op 12
Yulianna Avdeeva, piano
Symphony No 7 in C Major, Op 60 “Leningrad” (1at mvt, Allegretto)
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Kurt Masur, conductor
Produced by Sam Phillips for ѿý Audio Wales & West
On radio
Broadcast
- Tue 5 Aug 2025 16:00ѿý Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed – the box set
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Composers A to Z
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.