Preview: RLPO perform music to defy Russia’s Man of Steel, RCH Nottm Fri 20 Feb

Music to defy Russia’s Man of Steel

 

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Vasily Petrenko conductor

 

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2 ‘Little Russian’

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10

 

Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham

Friday 20 February, 7.30pm

 

Dynamic young Russian Vasily Petrenko conducts the acclaimed Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Concert Hall on 20 February, with a concert featuring Shostakovich’s 10^th Symphony, a brave portrait of Stalin written immediately after the tyrant’s death. The first half is no less striking, with Tchaikovsky’s lyrical 2^nd Symphony highlighting the historic links between Russia and Ukraine.

Composed in the months after Stalin’s death in 1953, the 10^th Symphony is a gripping portrait of the dictator’s Russia with a bold depiction of Stalin in the second movement. This was the first symphony composed after Shostakovich’s denunciation by the authorities in 1948 and includes a poignant self-portrait in the third movement. He had suffered greatly under Stalin and was still viewed with suspicion, but the dramatic finale ends with a note of optimism, its tearaway conclusion a defiant flourish against the regime.

Vasily Petrenko with the RLPO are today’s orchestra of choice for Russian repertoire and in particular Shostakovich. Their recordings of Shostakovich’s symphonies have received rave reviews and the 10^th Symphony won them the 2011 Gramophone Award.

Beginning the concert is Tchaikovsky’s second symphony, known as the ‘Little Russian’.  This was Tsarist Russia’s nickname for Ukraine, which has an oddly contemporary relevance given the current political situation. The piece weaves three folk tunes from Ukraine, with Tchaikovsky’s own melodies and dazzling orchestration to create some of his most joyful music.

The concert begins at 7.30pm on Friday 20 February. Tickets are £10-£32.50 and are available from the Box Office on 0115 989 5555 or online at www.trch.co.uk.