Symphony No. 4 in C minor
Dmitri Shostakovich
Work background
Researched classical background
Shostakovich's Fourth was withdrawn before its planned premiere in 1936, amid the political attack on his opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk. The enormous three-movement score remained unheard in public until 1961. Its long outer movements surround a shorter central movement, and the finale eventually recedes into a quiet coda rather than ending with its earlier orchestral force.
A listening guide
Notice the abrupt changes of scale and the long withdrawal at the end.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Very large orchestra including expanded winds and brass, two harps and celesta
Composition: 1935-1936
Composed 1935-36; premiere in 1961 is not the composition date.
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Boosey & Hawkes: Shostakovich Symphony No.4 study score
1935-36 composition, withdrawal and later performance | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Boosey & Hawkes / Sikorski: Shostakovich chronological work list
Work dates, opuses, keys, voices and revision information | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
Boosey & Hawkes: Shostakovich Symphony No.4 study score
1935-36 composition, withdrawal and later performance | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Boosey & Hawkes / Sikorski: Shostakovich chronological work list
Work dates, opuses, keys, voices and revision information | Reviewed 2026-10-19
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