Beethoven’s defiant Symphony No 5 meets the sneering mockery of Shostakovich and Prokofiev in exhilarating mood.
In 1945, Soviet authorities expected Shostakovich to use his Ninth Symphony to celebrate Soviet military might. What they got was a subversive, mischievous work that thumbed its nose at Stalin.
Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No 2 is one of the most powerful and technically challenging of all. Listen out for moments in the opening movement that test the soloist’s stamina to its limits, and a helter-skelter finale that never lets up.
Fate rules over Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, a revolutionary work that grows to dramatic, sublime heights from the simple germ of its opening four notes.
The LSO is joined by South Korean pianist Seong-Jin Cho, who embarks on the first of his three Artist Portrait concerts with the Orchestra. Sir Antonio Pappano, LSO Chief Conductor, conducts.
Programme
Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No 9
Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No 2
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No 5
Performers
London Symphony Orchestra
Sir Antonio Pappano conductor
Seong-Jin Cho piano