Shostakovich's Fourth Symphony was withdrawn by the composer in 1936 at the request of the Composers' Union leadership and was not publicly performed orchestrally until 1961.
Composition History
The Fourth Symphony was completed by Shostakovich in a state of depression after a hostile review of his opera, Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District, in Pravda in 1936.
Compositional Technique
Shostakovich's two-piano arrangement is a 'straight' transcription that highlights his skill as a contrapuntist, similar to J.S. Bach, whom he greatly admired.
Recording & Production
This album features the premiere recording of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 4 in its arrangement for two pianos.
Performer Biography
Rustem Hayroudinoff, one of the pianists on this recording, studied at the Moscow Conservatory and the Royal Academy of Music, and has performed internationally.
Composition History
The composer's two-piano arrangement of the Fourth Symphony, made in 1936, survived World War II, unlike the original manuscript full score which disappeared.
Composition History
In 1945, Shostakovich and his colleague Moisey Vainberg gave a private performance of the two-piano arrangement, but it was not publicly released at that time.
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