Shostakovich according to Ashton and for your enjoyment:

DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH

Dmitri Shostakovich was a Russian composer who was decidedly brilliant. I admire him because of the brilliancy and patriotism which he put into his music. For instance, his “Piano Concerto no. 2”, written for his son, Maxim, after Maxim graduated, tells the story of the downfall of Russia. It begins in a major key, making everything seem happy and optimistic. But there is something off in the music. You can’t quite put your finger on it. But, it’s in a major key, so everything’s OK, right? Then, WHAM! Dark, minor octaves enter, sounding like Russian guards storming. The orchestra part ensues frantically, immediately taken to a minor key, suggestive of citizens being intimidated and brainwashed. The tempo is allegro – very fast. The concerto is in a major theme, but with a noticeable twisted, evil sound. FINALLY! A beautifully major, clean theme. The Russian people have overthrown the government! We now reach a cadenza (the featured instrument’s solo) which sounds like a mockery of the main theme, annoyingly enough. With a sudden, dissonant key the stupid guards are back and have completely suppressed the people. Ultimately, the guards are led out by a strong major outpouring of patriotic Russians, who happily reclaim their theme, which is now in a different key. It ends triumphantly in that major key with a resounding F Major chord in both orchestral and piano parts.

In the third movement of aforesaid Piano Concerto No. 2,  there are scales comparable with Hanon. Shostakovich evidently did not want Maxim to think that now that he was graduated, he could just drop the technique.

All of his compositions are amazing, and I admire his courage to stand up to the Russian government with his music, like George Orwell in his book “Animal Farm”. And now you have met Dmitri Shostakovich, one of the most brilliant composers ever.