Although the symphonies, string quartets and concertos represent the core of his achievement, Shostakovich entered into the spirit of ‘light music’ with enjoyment and enthusiasm. The Ballet Suites, four suites of light orchestral music assembled by the composer from his stage, film and ballet scores (some, ironically, proscribed under the dictates of Soviet Realism) and prepared for publication by Lev Atovmyan in 1949, were originally intended as material for radio broadcasts and promotion through ‘approved’ Soviet outlets. These entertaining suites will come as a surprise to those who know Shostakovich only as a ‘serious’ composer.