London Symphony Orchestra/Sir Antonio Pappano

Of Shostakovich’s First Violin Concerto, the legendary Russian violinist David Oistrakh, its dedicatee, commented: ‘The performer plays a pithy ‘Shakespearean’ role which demands complete emotional and intellectual involvement (as well as ample virtuosity)’. The theme of fate is central to Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, characterised in a recurring theme, which brims with optimism and confidence by the time of the finale.