The focus shifts to Russia for the second concert in the tone poems series at BBC Hoddinott Hall; part of R17, a season of events marking the centenary of the 1917 Russian revolution.
Shostakovich’s symphonic poem October was commissioned to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the revolution, is at once both patriotic and subversive. By quoting material from works composed whilst condemned by the party, Shostakovich displays both his mastery as a composer and his complicated relationship with the communist party.