Shostakovich 5

Ethyl Smyth's overture to The Wreckers introduces the opera's central themes of moral conflict, betrayal and the clash between personal desires and collective duty.

Featuring our soloist Kristian Chong, Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto is full of dramatic contrasts, combining intense, heroic themes with lyrical moments. Its powerful, virtuosic piano part and rich orchestration showcase Beethoven's innovation.

Our concert concludes with Shostakovich's Symphony no. 5. Composed at the height of Stalin’s purge, it blends emotional depth and formal structure, reflecting personal struggle under Stalin's regime. It's both a triumphant and complex work, symbolising resilience and artistic survival.