Composed as part of Shostakovich’s Suite for Variety Orchestra – Waltz No. 2 is one of the composer’s most famous works. The suite was composed post-1956, and was subsequently used as part of the soundtrack for the Russian film The First Elechon. The suite itself is comprised of eight small movements, all of which are scored for a large orchestra. The ‘variety’ element is supported by Shostakovich’s addition of a full saxophone section, a celeste and two pianos. In the composer’s note at the start of the score, Shostakovich writes that the movements can be played in any order, and they do not all have to be played in one performance.