London Philharmonic Orchestra; Rachmaninoff: Inside Out

Rachmaninoff: Inside Out
Rachmaninoff and Shostakovich

JTI Friday Series

Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 4 (original version)
Shostakovich Symphony No. 4

Vasily Petrenko conductor
Alexander Ghindin piano
London Philharmonic Orchestra

As the full force of the Soviet regime positioned itself in direct opposition to his work, Dmitri Shostakovich gave birth to one of his most unusual symphonies. Deeply personal, Mahler-inspired sentiments were spiked by grotesque marches and gallops. Shostakovich knew he was headed for trouble and withdrew the piece before its premiere, only conceding at its eventual performance in 1961 that it ‘stood much higher than my recent [symphonies].’ The imposing Fourth Symphony is heard tonight after Rachmaninoff’s exalted Fourth Piano Concerto, played in its original uncut version.

In co-operation with the Serge Rachmaninoff Foundation.