Orchester’91 / Elizaveta Don / Emanuel Dantscher

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Rachmaninov wrote his Second Piano Concerto at the end of a depression and creative crisis. The work therefore symbolises a new beginning. The composer finds intense expression with multi-layered harmonies, virtuosity and melancholic, lyrical melodies. The Second Piano Concerto is still very popular today: it has been used as an accompaniment in numerous films, and Eric Carmen gave the main theme of the 2nd movement a second life in popular music with »All by myself«.



Shostakovich composed his Fifth Symphony during the Stalin Terror after he had to withdraw his Symphony Nr. 4 for political reasons. When the new work was premiered, it was wrongly interpreted as loyal to the regime and the last movement as a triumphal march. Shostakovich himself saw it more as a death march and sketches conflicts impressively and vividly in his dramatic work – quite realistically arising from everyday socialist life. However, the positive outlook is not missing, true to the motto »Per aspera ad astra« (»Through hardship to the stars«).

The Orchester’91 is delighted to be reunited with the multi-award-winning pianist Elizaveta Don, who takes on the demanding piano part in Rachmaninov’s piano concerto.

The ambitious amateur orchestra will once again be conducted by the multi-award-winning conductor Emanuel Dantscher, who the Orchester’91 has been able to win over for future collaboration.

PERFORMERS

Orchester’91 orchestra

Elizaveta Don piano

Emanuel Dantscher director

PROGRAM

Sergej Rachmaninow
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18

Dmitri Schostakowitsch
Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47