Radio Times: Review by:; Patrick Mulkern

Simon Russell Beale concludes his gambol across centuries and continents by bringing us up to speed with the great 20th-century composers: Shostakovich, Sibelius, Vaughan Williams, Elgar, Copland and Ives.

He shows how, in many cases, their symphonic works reflected the fast-moving, uncertain times – and global conflict – they lived through.

He also explores how the advent of recording and broadcasting brought music to vast new audiences. As if to emphasise this point, the BBC Symphony Orchestra (founded in 1930) assemble in studio one at BBC Television Centre to play snatches from the pieces under discussion.

About this programme

4/4. Simon Russell Beale charts how classical music evolved during the 20th century, as the world changed more rapidly than ever before. He explores the importance of Shostakovich's symphonies in the Soviet Union, and examines how composers including Charles Ives and Aaron Copland left their mark on American music - but discovers technological innovations had the biggest impact of all. Last in the series.