Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

SHOSTAKOVICH Festive Overture

SHOSTAKOVICH Piano Concerto No.2

SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No.5

Shostakovich has often been regarded as a somewhat ‘serious’ composer, although a significant part of his output consists of music that is intended as sheer entertainment. This lighter repertoire includes items such as the bright Festive Overture, written to celebrate the thirty-seventh anniversary of the October Revolution, and the light-hearted Second Piano Concerto, first performed by Shostakovich junior (tonight’s conductor) on his nineteenth birthday. In 1937 Shostakovich ‘demonstrated’ his adherence to Soviet principles by composing his popular Fifth Symphony, a work whose nobility, lyricism and humour, complete with grand orchestral apotheosis, have made it one of his best-loved orchestral works.

FREE pre-concert talk with RPO Managing Director Ian Maclay, featuring Natasha Paremski, 6.30pm.

Box Office: 01604 624811

We regret that Maxim Shostakovich is unwell and has been hospitalised in Moscow with heart problems. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is enormously grateful to Grzegorz Nowak for taking his place at such short notice. The programme remains unchanged.