The Salomon Orchestra Past Concerts

Tuesday 12th October 2004 at St John's Smith Square, London W1

Conductor Tecwyn Evans Soloist Emma Dogliani

Russian and Soviet Music

Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture

When Balakirev suggested an overture based on Romeo and Juliet, and gave suggestions as to the form and types of theme to use, Tchaikovsky may have readily embraced the idea as he was spellbound by the eventually unattainable singer Désirée Artôt. The continuing popularity owes as much to the strong sonata-like form as the exciting fight music and the love theme so admired by Hollywood composers.

Glière Concerto for Coloratura Soprano and Symphony Orchestra

Rheinhold Moritzevich Glière’s colourful Opus 82 concerto is in 2 parts (Andante, and then Allegro). It was premièred in Moscow on May 12^th 1943, sung by N. A. Kasanzewa but dedicated to Debhora Jakobwewna Pantofel-Netschezka.  

Emma Dogliani - click the picture for a brief biography

Khachaturian Masquerade Suite

The music to Lermontov’s drama Masquerade was first performed on 21^st June 1941. The suite was premièred in 1944 by the Symphony Orchestra of All-Union Radio Committee, first for reduced orchestra and later in the year the full symphonic version we know today. It starts with a characteristically energetic Waltz, followed by Nocturne, Mazurka, Romance and Galop.  

Shostakovich Symphony No. 10

Following Stalin’s death in 1953 Shostakovich felt confident enough to compose and release his Tenth Symphony. His Ninth Symphony from 1945 had not been the expected huge celebration of Soviet victory, and again the Soviet party was not to get the simple optimistic music it demanded. The furious second movement is now said to portray the evil personified by Stalin. Shostakovich’ own motto DSCH* appears, perhaps as the re-emergence of artistry and integrity, and finishes the symphony loudly on the drums. However like many great symphonies in the era of mechanised war and oppression the overall effect is more complex (and interesting) than overt triumphalism.

*DSCH is derived from the German spelling of Dmitri SCHostakowich, and in German nomenclature the notes are D E-flat C B-natural.

Handbill for this concert (PDF format).

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2006

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