There are many composers who had eventful lives – it seems that it was rarely an easy life.
Shostakovich certainly belongs to that group (if you haven’t read it his “memoirs” – Testimony – makes for fascinating reading – although I have put the word memoirs in quotes as there is a degree of doubt about how accurate a representation it is).
His symphonies are each quite unique – although it is always clear that they belong to him! There are a few of the fifteen that I particularly enjoy – this is one of them – great horn part, great fun to play.