The Soviet authorities called Shostakovich鈥檚 Tenth Symphony an 鈥渙ptimistic tragedy鈥�, and if that sounds confusing, it鈥檚 probably because they were as astonished 鈥� and conflicted 鈥� as the rest of us by this most troubled of modern masterpieces. A massive, defiant act of self-assertion in the face of official tyranny, it鈥檚 a monumental climax to a concert that begins with the primary-coloured sonorities and timeless Russian rituals of Stravinsky鈥檚 'Symphonies of wind instruments' and which also features Colin Currie, one of Scotland鈥檚 (and the world鈥檚) finest percussionists in a performance of Kurt Schwertsik鈥檚 charming 鈥榤arimba concerto鈥�, premiered by Currie in 2009 and described by him then as 鈥渁 true treat for the ears鈥�.
6.45pm - Pre-Concert Talk (free to ticket-holders): conductor Martyn Brabbins and soloist Colin Currie in conversation with 大象传媒 SSO violinist Alex Gascoine.
The concert will be recorded for future broadcast on 大象传媒 Radio 3.