Prof Marina Frolova-Walker, a co-author, with Jonathan Walker, of the recently published book “Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5” , will talk about their research for this book about Shostakovich’s most controversial symphony which, composed at the height of Stalin’s Purges, saved the composer from official disfavour and deeply moved audiences. The critics recognized it as a masterpiece, but were perplexed by its ambiguities, especially at the end of the Symphony: some imagined it as the joyful final victory of socialism, while others heard the triumph of a sinister and oppressive force. The second interpretation was pushed into the background, but the controversy persisted.

When: Friday 10 May, 2024, 18:00-19:30
Where: Trinity College, Winstanley Lecture Theatre, Trinity Street, Cambridge, CB2 1TQ (the entrance via the gate opposite of the Trinity College Main Gate)
Format: In person
Language: English
Tickets: adults £8, CamRuSS members and concessions £5. Please book via Allevents  NB: £1 processing fee is added by the platform.

Marina Frolova-Walker is Professor of Music History at the University of Cambridge and Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge, where she is Director of Studies in Music. She is also currently Professor of Music at Gresham College, London.

One of the world’s leading authorities on Russian music, Professor Frolova-Walker has introduced international audiences not only to new repertories, but also to new ways of thinking about established works. Elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 2014, and the recipient of the RMA Dent Medal for her outstanding contribution to musicology, Professor Frolova-Walker is committed to sharing the insights gained from her research with a wider public, through talks, radio and TV appearances, and publications.

Marina’s  personal website brings together video, audio, and text resources presenting her research and public engagement.

P.S. Marina’s previous talk for CamRuSS was delivered on 23 February 2017 at Darwin College during the exhibition of Elena Marttila’s works dedicated to the Siege of Leningrad: “Shostakovich’s ‘Leningrad’ Symphony”.