Shostakovich Tchaikovsky Mäkelä

Symphonies in the Shadow of Death

Oslo Concert Hall Concert has been played

Chief conductor Klaus Mäkelä.

Klaus Mäkelä © Marco Borggreve

Symphonies in the Shadow of Death

Klaus Mäkelä conducts great works by two symphonic giants: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s sixth symphony received its world premiere just before the composer’s demise, and Dmitri Shostakovich composed his Symphony No. 14 crippled by an intense fear of death.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893) was at the summit of his career when he conducted the world premiere of his own sixth symphony in St. Petersburg, on 28 October, 1893. The symphony gained instant popularity, but he was never to experience his own success – he died suddenly only nine days later. Symphony No. 6 has been given the name Pathetique – the passionate. The composer indicated that he had a more concrete programme in mind, but he never had the opportunity to reveal whether the music had a concrete theme.

Dmitri Shostakovich (1906–1975) was admitted to hospital in the very same city (at the time known as Leningrad) and in great pain, in January 1969. Visitors were forbidden due to a flu epidemic, and the composer took advantage of his enforced solitude to finish his Symphony No. 14. The work is based on eleven poems by poets who all died young. Shostakovich was strongly influenced by an intense fear of death during this time, and pushed the premiere forwards in order to be sure to be there. At the concert he took to the stage and explained his intention behind the work: to remind the listener that “life is beautiful”.

(Translation from Norwegian: Sarah Osa)

Soprano Asmik Grigorian, listed as soloist in our season programme, is unable to come because of current Norwegian entry restrictions.

We currently have reduced audience capacity due to infection control regulations. Some concerts are therefore sold out or nearly sold out. We hope to be able to welcome larger audiences soon!

What is played

  • Dmitri Shostakovich Symphony No. 14
  • Pyotr Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6

Duration

Performers

Tickets

Prices

Price groups Price
Adult 150 - 540 NOK
Senior 150 - 430 NOK
Student 150 - 270 NOK
Child 150 NOK

Subscription

Shostakovich Tchaikovsky Mäkelä

Oslo Concert Hall Concert has been played