Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony

The Soviet authorities called Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony an “optimistic tragedy”, but we just know that it’s one of the twentieth century’s ultimate musical epics: a huge, shatteringly powerful portrait of a human spirit battling impossible odds. It’ll make a gripping showcase for the young British conductor Nicholas Collon, who’s paired it with jewel-like miniatures by Ravel and Britten’s luminous songs, sung by the wonderful Sophie Bevan.