Classical Preview: Tribute to Shostakovich – conducted by his son

How different things would have been had he continued in the modernity of the little-know Fourth symphony. Thankfully, he responded to the savage attack, and in an act of contrition, wrote the Fifth Symphony, one of the most frequently played works of the 20th century.

Though under the surface of the music he is seething with indignation, it was a turning point in his life, the outcome of the rebuff shaping the career of one of the most highly successful musicians of our time.

The symphony forms the concluding item at next Saturday's highly popular concert in Leeds Town Hall, when his son, Maxim, directs the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in a programme devoted to his father's music.

The burning question will come in his handling of the enigmatic final moments. Will it be anguish or will he find hope of a new future for Russia?

The evening also contains the Second Piano Concerto, a work written in Shostakovich's jubilation at Stalin's death. Surrounding the poignant beauty of the sentimental slow movement, the first is full of brilliance and the finale a madcap dash. It features Natasha Paremski as soloist.

To open the evening, we hear an arrangement of the Eighth String Quartet, high on impact and adrenalin, orchestrated by one of the composer's most staunch champions, Rudolf Barshai.

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Leeds Town Hall, Apr 17, 7.30pm. 0113 2243801.