Prokofiev & Shostakovich

Once again David Grimal leads in attentive interplay in Prokofiev's lyrical Violin Concerto No. 2 and Shostakovich's understated 'victory symphony' in yet another 'concert without a conductor'. Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 2 represented what the Soviet regime envisaged the future of Soviet music should be: inspiration from Russian folk melodies, singable melodic lines, simplicity of form and socialist realism in expression. The concerto is predominantly lyrical, but also romantic and dance-like, and was an immediate success. Shostakovich's Ninth Symphony, on the other hand, was meant to become a majestic victory symphony, an ode to Stalin and the Russian heroes, a grand celebration of the Soviet Union's victory over the Nazis - at least that is what he told the press at home. What was played at the premiere was instead a short, understated, jesting symphony entirely devoid of grandiose pomp. Ravel's popular and wildly virtuosic piece, Tzigane, opens this evening's concert - a work that, according to the story, drew inspiration from a long night of improvised Hungarian folk music. Programme: Ravel / Tzigane, M. 76 Prokofiev / Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 63 Shostakovich / Symphony No. 9, Op. 70

• David Grimal

RECORDINGS OF THE WORKS

Dmitrij Sjostakovitsj: Symfoni nr. 9 i Ess-dur, op. 70

Watch on NRK TV (2021)All 2 parts on KulturbaseMore recordings on Kulturbase

Sergej Prokofjev: Fiolinkonsert nr. 2 i g-moll, op. 63

Watch on NRK TV (1972)More recordings on Kulturbase

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