Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Sir Antonio Pappano
Soloist: Vilde Frang, violin
Programme:
Imogen Holst — Persephone (overture)
Erich Wolfgang Korngold — Violin Concerto
Dmitri Shostakovich — Symphony No. 5
Platform: Medici.tv
Availability: Live stream (replay available after broadcast)
Sir Antonio Pappano leads the London Symphony Orchestra in a programme that brings together three distinct musical voices of the twentieth century, from rediscovered British repertoire to cinematic lyricism and Soviet-era symphonic drama.
The concert opens with Persephone by Imogen Holst, a work that has gained increasing attention in recent years. Daughter of Gustav Holst, she developed a distinctive musical language, and this overture combines luminous orchestration with mythological atmosphere.
At the centre of the programme is Korngold’s Violin Concerto, performed by Vilde Frang. Written in 1945 and premiered by Jascha Heifetz, the concerto draws on the composer’s Hollywood film scores while retaining a refined structural clarity. Frang, who has previously recorded the work, is known for her precision and clarity, qualities that align closely with the concerto’s demanding solo writing.
The evening concludes with Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, one of the composer’s most widely discussed works. Premiered in 1937 under intense political pressure, the symphony has been interpreted both as a gesture of conformity to Soviet expectations and as a more ambiguous, even ironic, response. Its dramatic contrasts and emotional ambiguity continue to invite multiple readings.
Disclaimer
We recommend this performance for its artistic value. Moto Perpetuo does not receive any benefit or commission from streaming platforms. A subscription to Medici.tv may be required to view the full content.
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