Saved events

Noseda conducts Shostakovich

London Symphony Orchestra/Gianandrea Noseda

Photo of Gianandrea Noseda in black suit

The past and the contemporary meet, as Gianandrea Noseda conducts music by Russian composers who reached back in history to create something entirely new – and one of their Classical inspirations.

For his first symphony, Prokofiev – in characteristic style – decided to do the opposite of what was expected of him. Instead of capturing the turbulence of Revolutionary Russia, he made Haydn and Mozart his muses, writing a work that fizzes with wit, light and play. We hear direct from Classicism in the graceful melodies of Mozart’s Third Violin Concerto, and step back into Russian history for Mussorgsky’s Prelude to Khovanschina, which evokes a city awakening as dawn breaks over the Moscow River.

For Noseda, the Ninth is Shostakovich at his most ‘classical’, but a modern statement nonetheless. ‘Stalin wanted a celebration of the victory of Russia, and Shostakovich came out with a sort of opera buffa symphony,’ he says. ‘Short, witty, lots of sarcasm. I can really feel his wish to go against what was expected of him.’
 

The concert will end at approximately 21.15pm. It includes a 20 minute interval.

Pre-concert performance

6pm, Barbican
LSO Platforms: Guildhall Artists
Fre pre-concert recital

Discover

Barbican Hall

Location
The Barbican Hall is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level. 

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
​​​​​​​The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.