Shostakovich 9. at Kilden Teater- og Konserthus

We are pleased to be able to welcome back Benjamin Schmid, who was soloist with us both at home and at our critically acclaimed German national tour in 2010. Now he will play the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, with its colourful melodies and brilliant virtuosity is one of the most beloved concertos.
When Shostakovich was to write his 9. Symphony he first planned a monumental tribute, with a large Orchestra and chorus, to the Russian people's greatness and the Red Army's victory over Nazi Germany. But he decided against them, and to everyone's surprise it was 9. Symphony of light, transparent, and humorous. The Orchestra was quite small,
and there was no chorus or vocal soloists. Soviet critics branded it as "ideologically weak" and believed it reflected the "true spirit" of the Soviet Union. It was then censored out
until 1955. Later it has been part of all core orkestres Philharmonic Repertory. Shostakovich himself called it "a playful little slice."
Anu Tali from Estonia is the conductor of this program. She is in the process of becoming a major name on the international front, both as conductor, opera and Symphony Orchestra conductor.