This concert pairs two giants of 20th century music (who were also friends) at polar ends of their lives. Britten鈥檚 youthful genius shines through in this early work for strings while Shostakovich鈥檚 penultimate symphony, part song-cycle, part symphony, was written in the shadow of death. Conductor and Shostakovich expert Mark Wigglesworth believes it鈥檚 the composer鈥檚 finest work, a symphony about mortality that gives 鈥榯he most inspirational of messages鈥�. Live broadcast on 成人论坛 Radio 3, presented by Kate Molleson.
