(5 of 5)
Despite the fact that it does not satisfy him as much as a soccer victory, despite its structural looseness and occasional melodic banalities, the Seventh is probably the most emotionally mature of Shostakovich's symphonies, is almost certain to be one of his most popular. But it still leaves an important question unanswered: Is Composer Shostakovich the last peak in the European musical range whose summit was Beethoven, or is he the beginning of a new sierra?
*The Symphony got its first hearing outside Russia in London on June 29, before 5,000 enthusiastic listeners at Royal Albert Hall.