Years into their joint Mahler symphony cycle, Andris Nelsons has proven time and time again that he is at home with Mahler at the podium of the Wiener Philharmoniker: “Under Andris Nelsons, the Tenth Symphony becomes an event.” (Salzburger Nachrichten). Symphonies Nos. 2-7 & 9 of this cycle are also available. “Nelsons is completely in his element” (BR Klassik) “Rich in colour and dynamics, and full of gripping suspense” (Kurier) PROGRAM: Mahler- Adagio from the Symphony No. 10; Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10
BBC Proms 2021: Vikingur Olafsson plays Bach and Mozart
Award-winning Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson makes his much-anticipated Proms debut, as soloist in both Bach’s Keyboard Concerto in F minor, whose energised outer movements frame a ravishing central Adagio, and Mozart’s pioneering Piano Concerto K491, a rare minor-key work whose stormy, richly orchestrated music climaxes in a relentless dance. The Philharmonia Orchestra under the baton of Paavo Järvi frame the concert with two symphonies: Prokofiev’s playful ‘Classical’ Symphony, with its clever juxtaposition of traditional forms and contemporary colours, and the more loaded irony of Shostakovich’s compact Symphony No. 9. PROGRAM Prokofiev: Symphony No.1; Bach: Keyboard Concerto; Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 24; Shostakovich: Symphony No. 9
BBC Proms 2018: Canellakis conducts Russian Classics
Conductor Karina Canellakis returned with the BBC Symphony Orchestra after her triumphant 2017 Proms debut. Two 20th-century Russian masterpieces led the bill – the exhilarating Symphonic Dances by Rachmaninov and Shostakovich’s much-loved First Cello Concerto, where Canellakis was joined by another young American star, soloist Alisa Weilerstein. The programme kicked off with Beethoven’s forceful Overture Coriolan, which Canellakis describes as a ‘punch in the face’, and a third young American, composer Andrew Norman, completed the programme with the UK premiere of his new work Spiral – “It could spice up any programme!” (The Guardian) PROGRAM Beethoven: Overture ‘Coriolan’; Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No 1; Norman: Spiral; Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances
Lucerne Festival 2017: Long Yu conducts Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich
For the first time ever, a Chinese symphony orchestra is performing at Lucerne Festival. If yet more evidence that classical music has long since become a global language were needed, it would be this appearance by the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra under music director Long Yu. Their concert is dedicated to Russian composers, among them Tchaikovsky whose immortal Violin Concerto is performed by one of the leading virtuosos of our time: Maxim Vengerov and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5.
LSO: Antonio Pappano and Seong-Jin Cho
Beethoven’s defiant Symphony No 5 meets the sneering mockery of Shostakovich and Prokofiev in exhilarating mood. In 1945, Soviet authorities expected Shostakovich to use his Ninth Symphony to celebrate Soviet military might. What they got was a subversive, mischievous work that thumbed its nose at Stalin. Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No 2 is one of the most powerful and technically challenging of all. Listen out for moments in the opening movement that test the soloist’s stamina to its limits, and a helter-skelter finale that never lets up. Fate rules over Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, a revolutionary work that grows to dramatic, sublime heights from the simple germ of its opening four notes. The LSO is joined by South Korean pianist Seong-Jin Cho, Sir Antonio Pappano, LSO Chief Conductor, conducts. PROGRAM Shostakovich: Symphony No. 9; Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2; Beethoven: Symphony No. 5
LSO: Michael Tilson Thomas & Yuja Wang at St. Luke’s
With some artists, just the name suffices. ‘Yuja Wang’s pianism inspires a sense of wonder,’ noted a critic after her Barbican solo. Partnered with Tilson Thomas in Shostakovich’s playful concerto for his teenage son, she’ll sparkle. Tilson Thomas starts with a letter from America, an homage to home by a composer voicing a nation. He then embraces Tchaikovsky’s folk-inspired melodies, blending romance and symphonic genius into a thrilling experience. PROGRAM Copland: Our Town; Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No 2; Tchaikovsky: Symphony No 2
LSO: Noseda conducts Shostakovich
Shostakovich’s music is such an important chronicle of life in 20th century Soviet Russia, and the Tenth Symphony written after Stalin’s death portays the tragedy, despair, terror and violence of his tenure. Masterfully conducted by Gianandrea Noseda. PROGRAM Shostakovich: Symphony No 10