VFO / NOSEDA / FEDOROVA

The first piece performed in honor of Rodion Schedrin, is the Piano Concerto No.2 (1966). It was dedicated to the ballerina Maïa Plissetskaïa, to whom the composer was married from 1958 until her death in 2015. The work is made up of three movements: Dialogues, Improvisations, Contrasts. At the time he was criticised, but in retrospect it is clear that this piece is one of the most brilliant works he has composed.” Shostakovich’s Symphony No.4 only saw the light of day in 1961. Faced with violent attacks by the government against his opera Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, Shostakovich felt it was more prudent to keep the symphonic score hidden during rehearsals. A work of monumental proportions and striking originality, many opposing forces can be seen crossing paths throughout: military style music is cleverly subverted by the grotesque, strident sounds, clamorous outcries, and parodies of waltzes and polkas. Yet there are also meditative moments of peace and tranquility (in the third movement). The epilogue ends on an enigmatic note. In a letter to his friend Glikman in 1974, Shostakovich writes: « The authorities told me to repent (…) I refused. At the time I was young and strong. Instead of repenting, I wrote the Fourth Symphony.”

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