It was a dangerous time for music in 1948 when Shostakovich was
completing his First Violin Concerto-during Stalin's regime, a month
after the notorious Zhdanov Decrees had censured the composer for
"bourgeois, formalist deviations." When he and other composers were
summoned before Zhdanov 's conference, his works were deemed to appeal
to "foreign bandits and imperialists." Still, it would be seven years
before the dedicatee, David Oistrakh, courageously premiered the
Violin Concerto. Two months later, he joined the New York Philharmonic
for its U.S. premiere. From ominous Nocturne to spectacular Burlesque,
it has become not only a virtuoso vehicle for the soloist but a
masterpiece for all time. Lisa Batiashvili, violinist, born in
Tbilisi , Georgia , will perform this demanding piece.


Join host Peter Schickele in an entertaining and insightful commentary
and musical examples to help you enjoy Shostakovich's "First Violin
Concerto" even more. A complete performance by the New York
Philharmonic follows.
Sakari Oramo, Conductor
Lisa Batiashvili, violinist
Peter Schickele, host


Shostakovich's "First Violin Concerto", Wednesday, April 11th at
6:45pm At Avery Fisher Hall
Tickets $24-$60
For information or tickets, visit
http://www.nyphil.org/insidethemusic3
or call 212-875-5656


Mikhail Smirnov
Ensemble Barynya
http://www.barynya.com