大象传媒

大象传媒 Symphony Orchestra
27 Oct 2023, Barbican, London
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大象传媒 Symphony Orchestra & Chorus Barbican Season 2023-24 Dark visions, Milky Ways

大象传媒 Symphony Orchestra
Dark visions, Milky Ways
19:30 Fri 27 Oct 2023 Barbican, London
Darkness meets light as Shostakovich鈥檚 shattering Tenth Symphony confronts music of ecstasy, beauty and soaring optimism by Olivier Messiaen and Outi Tarkiainen.
Darkness meets light as Shostakovich鈥檚 shattering Tenth Symphony confronts music of ecstasy, beauty and soaring optimism by Olivier Messiaen and Outi Tarkiainen.

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About this event

The Soviets called Shostakovich鈥檚 Tenth Symphony an 鈥渙ptimistic tragedy鈥, but the reality is infinitely more complex (and compelling) than that. It鈥檚 a symphony of dark secrets and shattering power: a powerful contrast to the heavenly radiance of Messiaen鈥檚 musical prayer, and the haunting tenderness and magical new sounds of Outi Tarkiainen鈥檚 Milky Ways.

鈥淲e all began life on milky ways鈥 says Tarkiainen; and this 大象传媒 co-commission was inspired by the glorious sound of our soloist Nicholas Daniel, whose cor anglais (says Tarkiainen) will soar 鈥渇rom Mother Earth to the celestial Milky Way鈥. It鈥檚 a vision that Messiaen, too, would have appreciated. Shostakovich dealt with altogether more brutal truths, but some say that his Tenth is his greatest symphony, and it鈥檒l make a gripping 大象传媒SO debut for the 鈥渞emarkable鈥 (Bachtrack) David Afkham.