Shostakovich: The Execution of Stepan Razin

This disc of music by one of the greatest symphonists of the twentieth century ranges from the rarely heard Five Fragments of 1935, experimental practice runs for the Symphony No. 4, to one of the composers last orchestral works, the vibrant symphonic poem October, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1917 Revolution. The Execution of Stepan Razin, composed in 1964, is based on the 17th century Cossack rebel and folk-hero who led an unsuccessful revolt against Tsar Alexis I, father of Peter the Great. Shostakovichs energetic score displays a mastery of orchestral and choral sonorities, alternating powerful climaxes and heartfelt evocations of Russian folk-song.