THE fourth Sunday Proms at Rhosygilwen takes place this weekend.

Shostakovich’s String Quartet No 8 was the composer’s epitaph. He was struggling with a debilitating muscular weakness in his last days and dedicated the piece to victims of totalitarianism, having been persecuted by Stalin for several years.

It was first performed in Moscow in 1960 and remains one of the most significant pieces of music written in the 20th Century.

Together with Rachmaninoff’s Piano Trio these form the centrepiece of the Rhosygilwen Proms this year, led by Tim Hugh and his LSO ensemble.

Thanks to Tim’s parents, who live near St Dogmaels, Pembrokeshire has benefited by having a musician of his calibre leading these Proms.

The ensemble comprises Roman Simovic, Milena Simovic and Katerina Nazarova on violins, Alexander Zemtsov on viola, Olga Sikovetski on piano, Denitsa Zemtsov on clarinet and Tim Hugh on cello.

Tim Hugh is principal cellist with the London Symphony Orchestra whilst Alexander Zemtsov has been principal player with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Historian Anne Garside, of the Fishguard Learning Centre, will give a talk, before the performance, on the political background in post war Russia and the influences on composers such as Shostakovich.

The performance is on Sunday, August 16 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £12 and can be booked on rhosygilwen.co.uk or by calling 01239 841387.

A pre-concert supper can also be booked for 6pm.