Description: Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony, created against the backdrop of one of Stalin's most infamous purges, is one of Shostakovich's most controversial works. It was Shostakovich's response to criticism that earned him disfavor in the eyes of officials, one that allowed him to regain artistic pride even as he won the approval necessary to regain his livelihood. This book explores this symphony in full and clues readers into secrets about it that took decades to uncover.
Review Quotes: "Marina Frolova-Walker and Jonathan Walker present a rich and thought-provoking look into Shostakovich's most popular symphony. The whole is immaculately researched and brilliantly presented, and any reader will come away with a deeper understanding of the man, the circumstances, and the work." -- Declan Siefkas, DSCH Journal