Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra
Shostakovich in his role as a firefighter in wartime Leningrad
Shostakovich’s Leningrad Symphony
Plus
Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
St David’s Hall
Saturday 25 June, 7.30pm
CARDIFF Philharmonic Orchestra brings down the curtain on its 2015/16 with a stunning performance of Shostakovich’s Leningrad Symphony at St David’s Hall on Saturday 25 June at 7.30pm.
Seventy-five years ago in October 1941 at the height of World War II, the Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich began writing one of the most famous works to be borne out of war. The first performance was given in Kuibyshev on March 5 1942.
The symphony became a beacon of defiance for the Russians whose country was being ravaged by the invading Nazi forces. A microfilm of the score was smuggled out of Russia for performances by Sir Henry Wood in London and Arturo Toscanini in New York, and was followed by countless recitals worldwide. The symphony was performed in Leningrad by starving musicians on August 9 1942.
The Leningrad Symphony is scored for huge forces and is a work that is best heard in the immediacy of a live performance for its full emotional impact. Conductor for the evening will be Michael Bell as usual, and he will be joined by the guest pianist Alexander Ullman (not Dawn Hardwick as previously advertised).
Before the Leningrad Symphony brings the concert to a rousing finale, the orchestra will also perform one of Rachmaninov’s most brilliantly virtuoso works, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.
Experience two breathtaking pieces from the Russian greats with Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra at St David’s Hall!
Michael Bell Conductor
Alexander Ullman Piano
Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (For Piano & Orchestra)
Shostakovich Symphony No 7 in C Major ‘Leningrad’
Leningrad and The Orchestra That Defied Hitler (BBC documentary):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjLT2Lo1L8g
Tickets are still available priced £5, £8, £10, £16 and £22*
Under 16s are £5*, whilst tickets for 16-25 year-olds are £7* (proof of age required).
*All tickets are subject to a £3.95 Ticket Service Charge per transaction and an optional 95p postage fee).
To book your seats, please visit www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk
or call the Box Office on 029 2087 8444
