This is very good collection of two giant composers of 20th century. Already, Shostakovich and Britten were both very close friends. I think, sometimes in Britten"s music, there are influences from Shostakovich. The performances of all works are very good. Shostakovich symphonies played with Chicago Symphony, Brittens played with London Symphony Orchestra.Shostakovich"s 4th is a lesser-known work. Because, in the years of 4th Symphony, still there is arguements of Lady Macbeth disaster premiere. But later, he answered to these with his ever-famous "The answer of a Russian artist to critics" 5th Symphony, and the premiere of it was a great success. He forgived by critics and he became the grandest symphony composer of Russia (U.S.S.R.).In this set, there is the excerpts from Britten"s most famous opera "Peter Grimes". It"s 4 Sea Interludes are ever-famous. Especially, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th are very amazing. The 1st Interlude, "Dawn" is the games of wawes. 2nd interlude is "Sunday Morning". There is a brigth sunny sunday morning, and the bells of morning to be hear. Also, the flute solo plays a bird, who chirped sweetly. The 3rd Interlude is "Moonlight". It is a very romantic, touching music, and comparable with Beethoven"s and Debussy"s (Clair de lune) moonlight musics. The 4th Interlude is a terrible "Storm". It is very fantastic. All the interludes (also, the opera) are impressive, effective, orchestration are excellent.