Evacuation
Donald Macleod explores the time Shostakovich spent after being evacuated from the besieged Leningrad to the city of Kuibyshev
Donald Macleod explores the time Shostakovich spent after being evacuated from the besieged Leningrad to the city of Kuibyshev.
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 Wednesday’s episode, Donald explores Shostakovich’s evacuation from the besieged city of Leningrad, and examines what life was like for the composer and his family in their temporary home in the city of Kuibyshev, and with their friends now scattered across the vast geography of Soviet Russia. In this period of uncertainty and dislocation, Shostakovich turned to an unlikely source of inspiration for the most deeply personal song cycle he would ever write.
Counterplan, Op 33 (Song of the Counterplan)
Alexander Kerr (violin)
Royal Concergebouw Orchestra
Riccardo Chailly, conductor
The Golden Age Suite, Op 22a (2nd, Adagio)
Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra
Maxim Shostakovich, conductor
Preludes, Op 34 (Nos 9-13)
Andrey Gugnin, piano
Romances on English poets, Op 62
Gerald Finley, baritone
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
Thomas Sanderling, conductor
Sonata No 2 in D minor, Op 61 (3rd mvt, Moderato)
Peter Donohoe, piano
Produced by Sam Phillips for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Audio Wales & West
On radio
Broadcast
- Wed 6 Aug 2025 16:00ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed – the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years
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.