Shostakovich, Debussy, and Ravel with the HR-Sinfonieorchester
Jun 11, 2019
On June 13 & 14, Pablo Heras-Casado leads the HR-Sinfonieorchester at the Frankfurt am Main. He conducts a kaleidoscopic program, beginning with two works by Shostakovich, including the profoundly introspective Second Cello Concerto, interpreted by internationally renowned cellist Sol Gabetta. Concluding the program are French works by Ravel and Debussy.
Shostakovich’s Festive Overture begins the program: a vivacious and celebratory work that he composed in observance of the 37th anniversary of the October Revolution, inspired by Glinka’s Ruslan and Ludmilla Overture. Following, his Second Cello Concerto encompasses a dramatically different character, with the beginning of the work based on a haunting theme of descending half steps. Debussy’s Trois Nocturnes Suite is inspired by a series of impressionist paintings, also entitled Nocturnes by James Abbott McNeill. Ravel composed La valse as an ode to the King of Waltz: Johann Strauss. The composer called it “a kind of apotheosis of the Viennese waltz, with which is mingled in my mind the fantastic whirl of destiny.”
Live stream information:
Watch a live stream of the performance on June 14th, beginning at 20:00 (CEST) via YouTube, ARTE Concert, or https://www.hr-