The Story of the Symphony Andre Previn with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra leader BARRY GRIFFITHS In this final programme
Andre Previn looks at the way many 20th-century composers, each from a different standpoint, have persistently turned to large-scale symphonic writing, although working at a time when the very vocabulary of music has continually outstripped its audience.
To Shostakovich (whose
Fifth Symphony concludes this series) there was the added threat that his music incurred Stalin's official displeasure when terror raged across Russia and 'difficult' composers disappeared overnight.
Shostakovich was certain he would be arrested. He always kept a small suitcase packed and ready.
But Stalin was too clever to eliminate Shostakovich; like many dictators Stalin appreciated the propaganda potential of art. Yet, when this Fifth Symphony of Shostakovich eventually appeared, it was the composer, not the politician, who ultimately triumphed. Vision mixer ANGELA WILSON
Videotape editor ROGER HARVEY Designer KEITH HARRIS
Lighting KEN MACGREGOR Sound RAY ANGEL
Written and directed by HERBERT CHAPPELL
Book £13.95 from booksellers