Philharmonia Orchestra

The famous theme of the opening movement of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 is reputed to be based on a melody overheard by the composer performed by beggars at a market in Kiev. Although only heard twice in the piece, it ties the rest of the themes together with a strong motivic link; other Ukrainian folk songs and even a French chanson also appear. Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony is equally infused with nationalistic flavour, but there the resemblance ends; Shostakovich was under pressure from the political regime to compose a work in line with their guidelines and so although on the surface the work is heroic and abounding in ‘singable’ melodies, the composer’s underlying feelings can still be heard.