Dmitri Shostakovich had intended the piece to be premièred by the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra, but because of the siege, that group was evacuated from the city, as was the composer himself.
Dmitrii Shostakovich tiña a intención de que a obra fora estreada pola Orquestra Filharmónica de Leningrado, mais a causa do sitio esta foi evacuada da cidade, así como o propio compositor.