NEW WORLD SYMPHONY

Repertoire

LUTOSŁAWSKI: Mala Suita (Little suite) – First performance by OBC
SHOSTAKOVICH: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2
DVORÁK: Symphony No. 9, Op. 95

Artists

Antoni Wit, conductor
Denis Kozhukhin, piano

Program

Antoni Wit is no stranger to Russian music —which is why we propose Shostakovich— or to Czech music— which is why we propose Dvořák. These two works, bursting with Romantic vitality, are accompanied by a performance by Denis Kozhukhin, a young talent trained in Madrid.

Dvořák moved to New York to win over America with his music and found that it was America that won him over: he soaked up its jazz, folk music and native songs. He composed the spectacular Symphony for a New World which, over the years, has become one of the most popular symphonies in the entire international repertoire. Shostakovich wrote Piano Concert for his son Maxim’s birthday no less. The youngster (who was 19 at the time) premiered the work in Moscow exactly 60 years ago and since then the work has been known for its youthful style, sense of fun and optimistic outlook.