The Hallé Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony
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- What you'll hear
- All about the music
Pain. Anger. Music to chill you to your core.
Who’s on stage
The Hallé are regular guests here at The Glasshouse but it’s a first visit for their new Principal Conductor Kachun Wong. Let’s give him a proper North East welcome.
What they’re playing
The Halle’s rich symphonic sound is perfect for the two Russian masterpieces on the bill: Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony and Rachmaninov’s Third Piano Concerto.
Need to know
Price: £21 – £49
Discounts: save if you’re under 17, aged 18 – 30, a classical first timer, a group of 10 or more people. Check the details.
Running time: 1 hour 40 minutes, including a 20 minute interval.
Age: under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.
What you'll hear
Sergei Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3 (39′)
Dmitri Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 (44′)
Who's playing
Kahchun Wong conductor
Boris Giltburg piano
The Hallé
What's happening in the music?
A lot of the time we turn to classical music for relaxation, for mindfulness or for something to study to. If you were to unknowingly pop on Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony for any of those purposes you’d be in for a shock though. This is relentless, dark music about pain, oppression, anger and steadfastness, occasionally lightened by the glimmer of hope. That’s not to say it’s not enjoyable – it’s a bumpy, unpredictable ride, but it’s music with a serious message. Tonight it’s accompanied by another Russian masterpiece, Rachmaninov’s epic Third Piano Concerto. Made famous by the film Shine, it’s bigger, longer, and more technically challenging than anything the composer had written before, and some of the most electrifying music around for piano and orchestra.
