Šostakóvič & Prokof'ev: Teatro Comunale di Bologna

About the Event

In 1959, Shostakovich composed his First Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in a remarkably short period of forty days. This piece was dedicated to the renowned cellist Mstislav Rostropovic, with whom Shostakovich shared a deep understanding that transcended words. An anecdote from their time living in the same apartment complex exemplifies this connection. One day, Shostakovich called Rostropovic and simply said, 'Come to me, I need to talk.' Without hesitation, Rostropovic rushed to his friend's side and found him sitting silently at the kitchen table. They remained in silence for an hour until Shostakovich suddenly exclaimed, 'Thank you for stopping by.' This profound relationship between composer and cellist laid the groundwork for the presentation of Concerto No. 1 in late September 1959. Rostropovic, demonstrating his incredible talent and dedication, memorized every passage of the concerto in just four days. On October 4th, he performed the concerto at the Great Hall of the Leningrad Philharmonic, conducted by Evgeniy Mravinsky. A mere two days later, the concerto had already been recorded on a memorable disc under the direction of Aleksandr Gauk.

Moving to a different work, Sergei Prokofiev's Fifth Symphony, completed in the summer of 1944, is described by the composer himself as 'a hymn to the free and happy Man, to his powerful forces, to his pure and noble spirit.' Prokofiev composed this symphony in just one month, while residing in a house provided by the Union of Soviet Composers, located 300 kilometers from Moscow. During his stay, Prokofiev's colleagues, Khachaturian and Shostakovich, were also present, becoming the first to hear the symphony in its piano version. This symphony showcases Prokofiev's signature style, featuring scratchy gestures, fragments tossed into the air, and grotesque humor. It hauntingly cries out against the senselessness of war while capturing the feeling of estrangement amidst the frenzied enthusiasm of military parades. The symphony premiered on January 13, 1945, in a Moscow anticipating the imminent end of the conflict. Just two weeks later, the Red Army would enter Auschwitz, exposing new depths of horror.