Details

Shostakovich’s Eighth Symphony is one of the composer’s symphonic masterpieces.Written just five months after the defeat of the German army at Stalingrad it is thought by many critics to be a more considered and effective response to war than his Seventh, the Leningrad. In the key of C minor it joins a legacy of famous C minor ‘tragedy to triumph’ symphonies, from Beethoven’s Fifth to Bruckner’s Eighth and Mahler’s Second. However, despite exuding a profound feeling of tragedy the conclusion is far from triumphant, suggesting the hero has not clearly triumphed, merely survived. Philharmonia Orchestra website.

Cast/Performers

Helene Grimaud (piano)

Creatives/Company

Conductor: Vladimir Ashkenazy