Violinist Nicola Benedetti joins Thomas S酶nderg氓rd and the 麻豆官网首页入口 National Orchestra of Wales as they continue their exploration of music by Shostakovich and Sibelius. Here they pair the latter's stirring Second Symphony 鈥� adopted as a potent symbol of nationalism and resistance by the people of Finland 鈥� with Shostakovich鈥檚 symphonic poem October, a work whose subversive musical message sees the composer at his most pointedly political.

Shostakovich dedicated his First Violin Concerto to the celebrated violinist David Oistrakh, who praised its solo part as 鈥楽hakespearean鈥�, and the concerto鈥檚 demonic Scherzo gives its soloist plenty of opportunity for virtuosity.

Image: Nicola Benedetti 漏 Simon Fowler