Master Class by David Pownall

After the Second World War, music played a vital part in the regeneration of the Soviet Union.

In 1948, composers Sergei Prokofiev and Dmitri Shostakovich are summoned to an extraordinary private meeting at the Kremlin.

Callous, bullying, charming and sometimes violent, Joseph Stalin is the monstrous leader of the one-party state.

And he’s very keen to discuss the kind of music he wants...

Starring Kenneth Cranham.

Menacing comedy written by David Pownall.

Stalin .... Kenneth Cranham
Zhdanov .... Trevor Cooper
Prokofiev .... Bruce Alexander
Shostakovich .... .John Light

Music arranged by John White.

Director: Jessica Dromgoole

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2009.