Shostakovich’s Fourth Symphony was inspired by his first contact with the symphonies of Gustav Mahler, and was a completely new and startling creative direction for the composer. But, midway through its composition, his then runnin opera, Lady Macbeth of Mtensk, was viciously attacked in the press by Stalin. Fearing for his young wife and infant, the young composer nevertheless completed the Fourth Symphony's composition, but withdrew it just before its premiere in 1936. One year later, his "apology," the more conventional Fifth Symphony, rehabilitated the composer's reputation, but his sense of security was forever shattered. The radical and truly amazing Shostakovich Fourth would not be heard for 25 years, after the premieres of symphonies 5-12 and the death of Stalin. This fascinating story will be the subject of Maestro Eric's talk at 7:00 pm.
The program will open with the delightful Overture in C for Wind Ensemble, by the 15-year-old Felix Mendelssohn, followed by the Redwood Symphony debut of Yueh Chou performing the Mozart Bassoon Concerto.