Half Six Fix: Shostakovich 4 by Shostakovich, De (2024/2024), Director musical Simon Rattle, Barbican Centre, London, United Kingdom

The Programme Discover this shocking, dissonant, savagely ironic work: a statement of rebellion against Stalin’s dictatorship. It begins with the engines of industry: mechanical marches, pounding brass. An uneasy second movement, and then a nightmarish vision of life in Stalin’s Russia explodes in a frenzied succession of dance themes. Shostakovich withdrew his Fourth Symphony before its first performance, after hints that he was treading a fine line with the Soviet authorities. It shines on as an extraordinary vision of thwarted humanity. The Performers There are thrills and chills aplenty in Conductor Emeritus Sir Simon Rattle and the LSO’s uncompromising approach to Shostakovich’s masterpiece. In this performance, you can hear the shuddering depths of emotion behind its wild mood swings and bitter cynicism. ‘When a man is in despair, it means that he still believes in something.’ – Shostakovich Public online booking opens Friday 31 March at 10am Priority booking for LSO Patrons & Friends: Thursday 23 March at 10am – for LSO Patrons, LSO Pioneers and Ambassador level Friends Monday 27 March at 10am – for all LSO Friends