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Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No 2

Sara Mohr-Pietsch explores the pathways to one of football fanatic Shostakovich's most celebrated works, with Handel's UEFA anthem and balalaikas from Joe Hisaishi along the way.

It's the FIFA World Cup opening weekend, and Sara Mohr-Pietsch explores the pathways to one of football fanatic Dmitri Shostakovich's most celebrated works.

The Second Piano Concerto was composed as a 19th birthday present for his son Maxim, who was studying at Moscow Conservatory at the time. Shostakovich later confided to a friend that the piece had "no artistic value", yet the Concerto dazzles us with its quickfire action, all sunshine and fun. But the true gift is in the slow middle section: a gorgeously heartfelt meditation that has made the work a concert hall favourite.

En route, there are passes to Purcell and Fauré, and that most Russian of instruments, the balalaika. And just after half-time, Sara shakes a rattle to some footballing works that Shostakovich would have thoroughly supported.

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29 days left to listen

1 hour, 29 minutes

Last on

Today13:30
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op. 102: III. Allegro

    Performer: Dmitry Shostakovich Jnr.. Orchestra: I Musici de Montréal. Conductor: Maxim Dmitrievich Shostakovich.
    • CHANDOS.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Am Abend aber dasselbigen Sabbats BWV 42: Sinfonia

    Ensemble: English Baroque Soloists. Conductor: Sir John Eliot Gardiner.
    • SDG.

  • George Frideric Handel

    Come Ye Sons of Art, Z. 323: Sound the trumpet

    Performer: Alison Balsom. Music Arranger: Alison Balsom. Singer: Iestyn Davies. Orchestra: The English Concert. Conductor: Trevor Pinnock.
    • Warner Classics.

  • Gabriel Fauré

    Dolly Suite - Berceuse (Op. 56)

    Ensemble: Katia & Marielle Labèque.
    • DECCA.

  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op. 102: I. Allegro

    Performer: Yuja Wang. Orchestra: Boston Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Andris Nelsons.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K550: I. Molto allegro

    Orchestra: The Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. Conductor: Tarmo Peltokoski.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Piano Sonata No. 10 in G major, Op. 14 No. 2: III. Scherzo. Allegro assai

    Performer: Igor Levit.
    • Sony.

  • Johann Strauss

    Radetzky March, Op. 228

    Orchestra: Berlin Philharmonic. Conductor: Herbert von Karajan.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.

  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op. 102: II. Andante

    Performer: Yuja Wang. Orchestra: Boston Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Andris Nelsons.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.

  • Frédéric Chopin

    Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11: II. Romanze (Larghetto)

    Performer: Ingrid Fliter. Orchestra: Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Jun Märkl.
    • LINN.

  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op. 102: III. Allegro

    Performer: Yuja Wang. Orchestra: Boston Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Andris Nelsons.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.

  • Maurice Jarre

    Dr. Zhivago: Lara Says Goodbye To Yuri

    Ensemble: Unknown.
    • TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES.

  • Joe Hisaishi

    The Wind Rises: A Journey (A Dream of Flight)

    Ensemble: Unknown.
    • Studio Ghibli Records.

  • George Frideric Handel

    Coronation Anthem No. 1, HWV258 'Zadok the Priest'

    Ensemble: Giovanni Gabrieli. Conductor: Paul McCreesh.
    • SIGNUM.

  • Michael Nyman

    The Final Score IX

    Ensemble: Michael Nyman Band.
    • VENTURE.

  • Jean Sibelius

    Symphony No. 5 in E flat major, Op. 82: III. Allegro molto

    Orchestra: Oslo Philharmonic. Conductor: Klaus Mäkelä.
    • DECCA.

  • Duke Ellington

    Solitude

    Performer: Barney Kessel. Singer: Ella Fitzgerald.
    • Verve Records.

  • Dmitry Shostakovich

    Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major, Op. 102

    Performer: Yuja Wang. Orchestra: Boston Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Andris Nelsons.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.

Broadcast

  • Today13:30
    BBC Radio 3