Dmitri Shostakovich News

Reasons for his close link to the 20th century Russian composer

Boston, MA — The Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP), the nation's premier orchestra dedicated exclusively to commissioning, performing, and recording new orchestral music, today announced its 20th anniversary season, opening October 18th at Jordan Hall. For the past two decades, BMOP has been one of the country's leading orchestras, with a mission of disseminating exceptional orchestral music of the present and recent past via performances and recordings of the highest caliber.

CU Presents' 2015-16 lineup offers incomparable entertainment, including a special Christmas program by the world-famous Soweto Gospel Choir, the first Boulder performance by Twyla Tharp Dance since 1979 and alt-folk superstars Indigo Girls performing with the CU Symphony Orchestra. Single tickets go on sale Monday, Aug. 17 at cupresents.org, or call 303-492-8008.

The Music Institute of Chicago, one of the nation's leading community schools, and its Academy Program, a top training center for advanced pre-conservatory students, dominated the prestigious 2015 Thomas & Evon Cooper International Competition for Violin. After a rigorous audition process, the competition chose nine of the 21 international competitors from the Music Institute-an unprecedented number from one institution-with two placing at the top of the competition, which was presented by the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the Cleveland Orchestra in late July in Oberlin, Ohio.

American Ballet Theatre opens its Fall season on Wednesday, October 21 at 6:30 P.M. with a special opening night Gala performance, highlighted by the New York City premiere of a new work by Mark Morris, with music by Johann Nepomuk Hummel (Septet in C Major, No. 2 'Military') and costumes by Issac Mizrahi, and the Company Premiere of Frederick Ashton's Monotones I and II set to music by Erik Satie with costumes by Ashton.

A night for the entire family, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is hosting two Classical BBQ events in the Heinz Hall Summer Garden tonight, July 11, and August 2. Each Classical BBQ is filled with orchestral favorites in a fun-filled atmosphere, including pre- and post-concert entertainment and a chance to mingle with Pittsburgh Symphony musicians.

Programming for American Ballet Theatre's 2015 Fall season at the David H. Koch Theater was announced today by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie. Highlighting the season will be the New York City Premiere of a new work by Mark Morris and the Company Premieres of Frederick Ashton's Monotones I and II, George Balanchine's Valse-Fantaisie and AfterEffect by Marcelo Gomes. The 2015 Fall season at the David H. Koch Theater, October 21 through November 1, marks the conclusion of ABT's 75th Anniversary celebration.

Lincoln Center Out of Doors one of the country's longest-running, free, summer outdoor festivals opens its 45th season on July 22, 2015. A range of concerts, dance performances, family events, related film screenings, talks, and an exhibition will be presented across three weeks, from July 22 - August 9.

Smuin Ballet will kick off its 22nd Season September 18-October 4 with the Bay Area tour of Dance Series One.

?A night for the entire family, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is hosting two Classical BBQ events in the Heinz Hall Summer Garden on July 11 and August 2.  Each Classical BBQ is filled with orchestral favorites in a fun-filled atmosphere, including pre- and post-concert entertainment and a chance to mingle with Pittsburgh Symphony musicians.

SEATTLE, WA – PNB closes its 2014-2015 season with CARMINA BURANA, a dynamic duo of repertory works. Set to Shostakovich's galvanic score, Alexei Ratmansky's crowd-pleasing Concerto DSCH, an “endlessly suspenseful construction [with] passages of breathtaking dance brilliance” (New York Times) dazzles the eyes and ears with its playful, propulsive energy and glimpses of storytelling. In Kent Stowell's primal Carmina Burana, a grand-scale synthesis of dance, chorus, and orchestra, the famous cantata's poems materialize as the entire Company unites song and score for a jubilant communal experience under Carmina scenic designer Ming Cho Lee's colossal golden wheel. The program also includes a musical prelude to shine the spotlight on the world famous PNB Orchestra, currently celebrating its 25th Anniversary.  CARMINA BURANA runs for seven performances only, May 29 through June 7 at Seattle Center's Marion Oliver McCaw Hall. Tickets start at $30 and may be purchased by calling 206.441.2424, in person at the PNB Box Office at 301 Mercer Street, or online at PNB.org.

One of America's most versatile and prolific living composers, Andre Previn, joins Pacific Symphony as the honored guest and focus of the 15th American Composers Festival (ACF). Previn, who has been called one of America's least easily categorized musicians, began his remarkable career as a Hollywood "wunderkind" and a best-selling jazz pianist. Now 86, Previn has received four Academy Awards for his work in film, 10 Grammy Awards for his recordings (plus one more for his Lifetime Achievement), and he is also an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He's held a series of major conducting posts, including the L.A. Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra, but now exclusively composes. The concert is led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, whose great admiration for the legend shaped this year's ACF to reveal the scope of Previn's prowess as a composer. 

Orange County, Calif.-May 11, 2015-One of America's most versatile and prolific living composers, Andre Previn, joins Pacific Symphony as the honored guest and focus of the 15th American Composers Festival (ACF). Previn, who has been called one of America's least easily categorized musicians, began his remarkable career as a Hollywood "wunderkind" and a best-selling jazz pianist. Now 86, Previn has received four Academy Awards for his work in film, 10 Grammy Awards for his recordings (plus one more for his Lifetime Achievement), and he is also an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He's held a series of major conducting posts, including the L.A. Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra, but now exclusively composes. The concert is led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, whose great admiration for the legend shaped this year's ACF to reveal the scope of Previn's prowess as a composer. 

The New York Festival of Song completes its 2014-15 NYFOS Mainstage series with LETTERS FROM SPAIN-A World of Song in Spanish Poetry tonight, April 28, 2015 at 8:00 pm at Merkin Concert Hall.

?The Celebrity Series of Boston announced its 2015-2016 season today, marking 77 years of bringing the world's greatest performing artists to Boston. The season opens on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 with author and speaker David Sedaris. In total, the 2015-2016 season will include 48 music, dance and entertainment engagements. The 2015-16 season is sponsored by Amy and Joshua Boger.

SEATTLE, WA – PNB closes its 2014-2015 season with CARMINA BURANA, a dynamic duo of repertory works. Set to Shostakovich's galvanic score, Alexei Ratmansky's crowd-pleasing Concerto DSCH, an “endlessly suspenseful construction [with] passages of breathtaking dance brilliance” (New York Times) dazzles the eyes and ears with its playful, propulsive energy and glimpses of storytelling. In Kent Stowell's primal Carmina Burana, a grand-scale synthesis of dance, chorus, and orchestra, the famous cantata's poems materialize as the entire Company unites song and score for a jubilant communal experience under Carmina scenic designer Ming Cho Lee's colossal golden wheel. The program also includes a musical prelude to shine the spotlight on the world famous PNB Orchestra, currently celebrating its 25th Anniversary.  CARMINA BURANA runs for seven performances only, May 29 through June 7 at Seattle Center's Marion Oliver McCaw Hall. Tickets start at $30 and may be purchased by calling 206.441.2424, in person at the PNB Box Office at 301 Mercer Street, or online at PNB.org.

As the Dallas Chamber Symphony completes its third season, the chamber orchestra serves up a mix of old and new by pairing new independent short films with works by Arvo Part, Edvard Grieg, Philip Glass, Edward Elgar, Dmitri Shostakovich and others.

The New York Festival of Song completes its 2014-15 NYFOS Mainstage series withLETTERS FROM SPAIN-A World of Song in Spanish Poetry on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at 8:00 pm at Merkin Concert Hall.

Now celebrating their Fifth Anniversary Season, the Glendale Philharmonic Association and Positive Motions Foundation will present Positive Motions Concert Series, Ruslan Biryukov, Artistic Director in a concert performed by THE GLENDALE TRIO, consisting of Roberto Cani, Violinist and Los Angeles Opera Orchestra Concertmaster, Armen Guzelimian, Pianist and Ruslan Biryukov, Cellist.