For
Prom 4 the BBC Philharmonic played a modern clarinet concerto by Lindberg which I didn't find to be very interesting in the first half. Following intermission(about 0:57) however, the massive Shostakovich 7th Symphony("Leningrad")was performed. This was written in part during the horrendous WWII siege of Leningrad, and although not said to represent specific events there, nevertheless speculations of military and political influences are abundant(discussed to a degree by a panel during the intermission). For example, the repetitive march-like theme in the first movement is likened to the advance of the German forces toward the city.
There's much of vigor and beauty that follows, and the last couple minutes of the finale(beginning about 2:07)are quite thrilling.
