Shostakovich's Opening Poem

In this vicious mocking of a band of drunk Russians mocking the Jews who are being beaten, Shostakovich creates multiple layers of irony and satire. The words here are perhaps the most touching in the whole symphony. It might not seem to fit except for what is going to come later. Someone's coming, don't be frightened. These are the sounds of spring, spring is coming. Come to me, give me your lips quickly. They're breaking down the door. No, it's the ice-breaking. From a day Here Scholstachovich does not write as Percivo for the music. He writes some of his most anxious music.