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Today, Donald Macleod takes a look at the complicated beginning to Shostakovich's relationship and marriage to Nina, and how he celebrated the birth of his daughter with champagne and a run-through of his Fourth Symphony round the piano with friends. And we'll find out the answer to an important question: is Shostakovich a cat or a dog person?

This week we're exploring Dmitri Shostakovich the family man. We are turning our attention to the middle of the Russian composer's life, hearing about his relationship with his two children (Galina, born in 1936, and Maxim, born in 1938) and his first wife Nina, who he was married to from 1935 until her death in 1954.

Suite for Variety Orchestra – Waltz 2
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Riccardo Chailly, conductor

Six Romances on Texts by Japanese Poets, Op. 21
No. 2. Before the Suicide
No. 4. The First and the Last Time
No. 5. Hopeless Love
Verena Rein, soprano
Jascha Nemtsov, piano

The Tale of the Silly Little Mouse
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly

Symphony No 4 in C major Op 43 (Mvmts 1 & 2)
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Andris Nelsons, conductor

Producer: Amy Wheel, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Cymru Wales