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Donald Macleod presents Shostakovich's Third Symphony, plus a miniature masterpiece by the little-known Alexei Zhivotov.

Donald Macleod explores Shostakovich's brilliant youth - and the work of five extraordinary lost musical souls - amidst the turmoil and extraordinary originality of 1920s Russia.

Donald Macleod begins Thursday's programme with another dazzlingly witty arrangement - this time of a Broadway hit! - before introducing another 'black sheep' of the Shostakovich symphony family: his little-performed Third Symphony, complete with finale in praise of the Soviet revolutionary. His guest composer today is Alexei Zhivotov - a composer who barely registers in musical history - yet whose Fragments, Op.2, is one of the most original Russian chamber works of the 20th century.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    Tahiti Trot (Tea For Two), Op.16

    Performer: Royal Concertgebouw / Riccardo Chailly

    • DECCA 4757431.
  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    Suite from incidental music to "The Bedbug" by Mayakovsky, op.19a (1929)

    Performer: USSR Ministry Of Culture Symphony Orchestra / Gennady Rozhdestvensky

    • BMG Classics 74321 59058 2.
  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    Alexei Zhivotov: Nine Fragments for Nonet, Op.2 (1928)

    Performer: Bolshoi Chamber Ensemble - Alexander Lazarev

    • OLYMPIA OCD170.
    • 7.
  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    Symphony no. 3 in E Flat Major, Op.20

    Performer: London Philharmonic Orchestra + Choir / Bernard Haitink

    • LONDON 4444203.

Broadcasts

  • Thu 3 Feb 2011 12:00
  • Thu 3 Feb 2011 22:00

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