An absolute firecracker to open the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra's 2020 season.
Performed by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Giordano Bellincampi.
Giordano Bellincampi Photo: Andreas Kohring
Shostakovich had been frustrated since the completion of his 10th symphony by a slow-down in his composing. This 'drought' however was relative - in this time he wrote a Concertino for two pianos, a song cycle, three film scores and this Festive Overture.
The Overture bears witness to the inspiring nature of deadlines.
The composer received a desperate plea for an appropriate opening to the 37th anniversary celebrations of the 1917 October revolution.
Composition began and page by page the work was shuttled away with the ink literally still wet. Within two days the Festive Overture was complete and on music stands in the Bolshoi theatre.
A witness to the occasion, friend and musicologist Lebedinsky, noted that "when Shostakovich wrote light music he was able to talk, make jokes and compose simultaneously, like the legendary Mozart. He laughed and chuckled, and in the meantime work was underway and the music was being written down."
Recorded by RNZ Concert, Auckland Town Hall, 13 February 2020
Producer: Tim Dodd; Engineer: Adrian Hollay
