Shostakovich from Manchester

Premiered nine months after the death of Stalin, Shostakovich's Tenth Symphony is a visceral response to the tyranny and brutality of Stalin's years of terror, his music now able to openly express seething anger and deep grief. The second movement Scherzo is some of his best known music; its brevity adding power to unspeakably terrifying rage. The extrovert power of the music is accompanied, though, by a deeply personal theme throughout the symphony; he uses his own initials as the basis of a recurring tune which desperately permeates the piece.

Personal tragedy is at the heart of Dvořák's richly lyrical Cello Concerto; the slow movement is dedicated to his sister-in-law Josefina who died as he completed the piece. Anastasia Kobekina, who first worked with the BBC Philharmonic as a Radio 3 New Generation Artist, and with whom they have formed a lasting relationship, joins the orchestra to bring her trademark warmth and passion to the music.

The programme opens with Shostakovich's Festive Overture. Written at break-neck speed to a last minute commission, its extrovert fun ticked all the boxes at its premiere and its virtuosic exuberance is undeniable.

Recorded at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall on 15 November and presented by Tom McKinney.

Shostakovich: Festive Overture
Dvořák: Cello Concerto

Music Interval

Shostakovich: Symphony No.10

Anastasia Kobekina (cello)
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
John Storgårds (conductor)

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