Shostakovich's 3rd Symphony

Hi. My first blog entry. My mum didn't want me blogging but I managed to pursuade her otherwise. And I don't care whether Shostakovich was 20th Century, I'm blogging about him so don't try and stop me. Oh, and will you jokers kindly tell me when you're going to change the blog address, I had to access it through Matthew's profile.
Anyway, on to what I consider to be one of Shostakovich's greatest masterpieces, and easily one of the most underrated compositions in the classical world, the third symphony, subtitled 'The First of May.' This is of course in reference to the International Labour Day, as it is commonly known in Australia, a celebration of the working class, most notably evident during Shostakovich's lifetime, as a composer in a supposedly socialist country. It is set out in four movements, the final movement being the vocal Moderato entitled 'V pervoye Pervoye Maya,' which sings about the very first May Day.
I have not the time to give a complete review, however I will quickly highlight my favourite movement, the first 'Allegretto - Allegro,' delving into the feelings and suggestions that the music makes. This movement begins in contemplation, before expoloding in a triumphant burst from the strings. This then gives away to a subtle study of the forces at play, a brilliant interplay between the strings and the brass section, the ebb and flow giving away to what can almost be seen as a tragic motif from the string section. The symphony does not dwell on a subject of pessimism for long however, rushing persistenly back into the slightly hectic environment that is developing, before once more exploding in an uneasy cry of achievement from the horns, that is underplayed by the worried tirade of the strings. The drums then sound a march like section that is highlighted by the horns before the woodwind plays an almost whimsical melody. A sense of true achievement is now reached before fading away into serenity, before the haunting cry of the strings open the second movement.
As I said, that is all i can add for now, but again I highlight, this symhpony is superior to Mahler's 6th. The biggest tragedy about that symphony is that such a well structured symphony was let down by such a haphazard finale.