Shostakovich, Moussa and Ravel
Thu Apr 7 — Fri Apr 8, 2022
Orchestra Hall
Shostakovich’s First Violin Concerto is an intensely challenging, virtuosic and emotionally charged piece, performed by violinist Ning Feng in his Minnesota Orchestra debut. Also making his first appearance here is conductor Kevin John Edusei, who leads the Orchestra in a series of atmospheric orchestral works by Samy Moussa and Maurice Ravel. From the mysterious night sky in Nocturne to the joyful dances of Daphnis and Chloe to the iconic snare drum rhythm of Boléro, this concert will send your imagination soaring.
A Few Things to Know
- Shostakovich’s First Violin Concerto was premiered by Ukrainian-born violinist David Oistrakh, who in 1955 and 1965 performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, which was then known as the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra. Learn more about the connections between Shostakovich and Oistrakh.
- Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe and Boléro were both originally written as music for ballet, but have instead become orchestral favorites that stand on their own.
- Kevin John Edusei has won numerous awards and competitions for his conducting, including the 2008 International Dimitri Mitropoulos Competition, which is named after the Minnesota Orchestra’s fourth music director.
- This concert marks the second consecutive month the Minnesota Orchestra is performing a piece by Canadian composer Samy Moussa. Moussa, who also has a successful career as a conductor in both Europe and North America, is currently the artist in residence with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
Program
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SHOSTAKOVICH
Violin Concerto No. 1
1 min noteOne Minute Note
Once hidden within the repressive climate of Stalin’s regime, Shostakovich’s concerto alternates somber movements with brighter, virtuosic passages. A spectacular cadenza links the ominous third movement with the work’s striking, fast-paced finale.
- INTERMISSION
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MOUSSA
Nocturne
1 min noteOne Minute Note
In Moussa’s Nocturne, the center of gravity is pitched in the lower registers, with a few moments of brightness. The final minutes create a ghostly atmosphere through unusual modern techniques.
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RAVEL
Suite No. 2 from Daphnis and Chloe
1 min noteOne Minute Note
The ancient lovers in Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe Suite are shown in happy moments. Rippling woodwinds announce sunrise; solo flute represents Daphnis telling the tale of Pan and Syrinx; and the couple celebrates with a joyous dance.
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RAVEL
Boléro
1 min noteOne Minute Note
Over a beguiling and insistent rhythm, Boléro repeats a single hypnotic melody on an ever-shifting combination of instruments. With each change in orchestral color, the tension builds—to a climax of shattering intensity.
Artists
Minnesota Orchestra
Kevin John Edusei
conductor
Ning Feng
violin
The Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra, now in its second century, ranks among America’s top symphonic ensembles, with a distinguished history of acclaimed performances in its home state and around the world; award-winning recordings, broadcasts and educational engagement programs; and a commitment to intentionally build concert programs to feature more works by composers of color, exploring music both contemporary and historic. This past fall, Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård began his tenure as music director.
Kevin John Edusei is praised repeatedly for the drama and tension that he brings to his music-making, for his clear sense of architecture and attention to detail.
A suave and elegant figure on the podium, he has conducted widely across Europe, dividing his time equally between the concert hall and opera house. He is Chief Conductor of the Munich Symphony Orchestra.
Highlights of Edusei’s 2020-21 season include his debuts with the London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, and his return to the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic at the Concertgebouw. Highlights of previous seasons include the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Bamberg Symphony, BBC Scottish Symphony, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Scottish Chamber orchestras as well as his BBC Proms and Royal Festival Hall debuts with the Chineke! Orchestra.
Ning Feng has toured Europe, Asia and Australia with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra/ van Zweden, he has toured China with many orchestras including the Budapest Festival Orchestra/ Iván Fischer, with whom he has also performed several times in Budapest, with the Berlin Konzerthaus Orchester/ Lawrence Foster, and with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra with whom he has also worked many times. Other career highlights to date include performances with the Royal Philharmonic, City of Birmingham Symphony, BBC Philharmonic, LA Philharmonic, National Symphony (Washington), Helsinki Philharmonic, Bavarian Radio Symphony, Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Russian National Symphony orchestras amongst others. He has worked with many eminent conductors including Gianandrea Noseda, Marin Alsop, Yu Long, Tugan Sokhiev, Vladimir Spivakov and Vassily Petrenko.
In China, Ning Feng is held in the highest regard, appearing with all the major Chinese orchestras, visiting international orchestras and in recital. In 20-21 he was Artist-in-Residence with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra and in the same season he performed the Beethoven Violin Concerto with Shanghai Symphony, Guangzhou Symphony and China Philharmonic orchestras.
Your Concert Experience
Join us for Q&A’s, hosted discussions, exhibits and more. All free with your concert ticket!
bolerobolero Dance Performance
When: Thu Apr 7, 10:15-10:45am & Fri Apr 8, 7:15-7:45pm
Where: Roberta Mann Grand Foyer, Balcony A, Balcony B
bolerobolero, set to Ravel's iconic orchestral work, is a contemporary interpretation choreographed by Berit Ahlgren (HoneyWorks) and Helen Hatch (Hatch Dance). The work is a response to our need to continue dancing and creating during upheavals in the social and political landscapes during the summer of 2020.
Video: Performance clip of Ravel's Daphnis and Chloe from October 2016
Accessibility Services
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Large Print Programs
- Service Animals
- Wheelchair & Accessible Seating
Additional services are available upon request.
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