Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra

Programme:
Tchaikovsky - Romeo and Juliet
Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto No.2
Shostakovich - Symphony No.10

In Soviet Russia, censors called it an “optimistic tragedy”, but for Shostakovich, it was simply his Tenth Symphony.

Epic in scale, compelling in emotional power, and featuring at its heart an electrifying musical portrait of Stalin himself, what’s certain is that Shostakovich’s Tenth is one of the mightiest of all 20th century masterpieces.

Yuri Botnari leads the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra through its dark corridors, and these players have this music in their very souls. This will be a thrilling way to begin our season, and an overwhelming finish to a concert that begins with the star-crossed romance of Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet, before Botnari and the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra welcome the incomparable John Lill for Rachmaninov’s Second Concerto. For once, the words “a legend in his own lifetime” are entirely justified: this will be much more than just a brief encounter with the world’s favourite piano concerto.