The current program features two of hostakovich’s most challenging, provaocative and arguably, greatest works! The Fourth Symphony came as a result of the composer’s study of Mahler. Scored for a gigantic orchestra, the symphony consists of two colossal outer movements, each lasting nearly half an hour, that frame a brief, intermezzo-like movement: first a movement in extended sonata form, then a droll scherzo and in third place a final movement of varied symphonic character introduced by a funeral march. The second work features the World Premiere recording of Shostakovich’s own suite from his opera, Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk.