Please note that owing to the coronavirus outbreak this concert has been cancelled.
Exeter Symphony Orchestra, under its exciting new conductor, Arturo Serna, and internationally-acclaimed pianist, Duncan Honeybourne, are delighted to present music by Dvorák, Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky.
When Dvorák wrote to congratulate Tchaikovsky on the successful premiere of his opera Eugene Onegin in Prague in March 1879 he initiated a lasting friendship between the two. Tchaikovsky later reciprocated by organising Dvorák’s first tour to Moscow and St Petersburg, so his work and our opening piece Marche Slave – a familiar blend of Serbian folk songs and the hymn ‘God save the Tsar’ – perfectly introduces this concert of music by the contemporaries Tchaikovsky and Dvorák, and their successor Shostakovich.
To follow this rousing, military-themed opening, we are honoured to share the platform with soloist, Duncan Honeybourne, to perform with him Piano Concerto No 2 by Dmitri Shostakovich. This uncharacteristically cheerful piece was dedicated to the composer’s 19 year old son, Maxim, and premiered at his graduation from the Moscow Conservatory in 1957. Somewhat to Shostakovich senior’s surprise the work was loved by the critics who applauded its charming simplicity, carefree spirit and lyrical warmth; the beauty of its second movement alone is highly memorable. Duncan - appearing in place of our Italian soloist - has a busy 2020 performing schedule, with concerts and recitals across the country. A multi-talented organist, writer and musicologist also, we are delighted that he has agreed to join us at short notice.
Inspired by the Hungarian Dances of Johannes Brahms, Antonin Dvorák wrote a total of sixteen Slavonic Dances in which he evokes the style and spirit of traditional folk dances, but invents his own melodies. These lively pieces, full of national character, were immediately well received and today are considered among the composer's most memorable works. The first eight dances – of which we will play Nos 1, 2, 7 and 8 – form Op 46; they quickly established Dvorák's international reputation when published in 1878.
Into his 5th Symphony Pyotr Tchaikovsky pours his purest and greatest qualities as a composer. He dedicated the work to the ultra-conservative teacher Theodor Avé-Lallement who tried to convince him to settle in Germany in order to overcome his “shortcomings as a composer”! Tchaikovsky responded with this brilliant piece which has it all: drama, poetry, sadness, fire, childish bursts of joy, and maturity. A recurring main theme – sometimes dubbed the ‘Fate Theme’ – unifies all four movements and progresses from an almost funereal opening in E minor to the concluding triumphant march in E major. The symphony is perfect in every way and it provides a stunning finale for the concert.