Dramatic Moments

Dramatic Moments

Guest conductor: Michael Seal

Tchaikovsky, Overture Romeo and Juliet Arutiunian, Trumpet concerto featuring soloist Alan Thomas Shostakovich, Symphony no. 15

CSO is honoured to welcome CBSO’s Michael Seal as guest conductor for this concert of Dramatic Moments. He will be guiding us through 3 quite different pieces, each of which in their own way, are crammed with drama and excitement.

Tchaikovsky perfectly encapsulated all the violence, drama and anguish of the Romeo and Juliet tragedy in this overture. In a concert of Dramatic Moments, it would be difficult to think of a more suitable opening.

The Trumpet Concerto by Arutiunian is an excellent example of the impact that the Armenian folk culture of his homeland had on his compositions, showcased through melodies that sound as though they could have been improvised, with musical gymnastics required of both soloist and orchestra.

In his 15th Symphony, Shostakovich was aiming to create a gift to himself, so took the opportunity to bring together in this one work, quotations and influences from Mahler, Wagner, Beethoven and Rossini, and maybe more, so it is a symphony full of such Dramatic Moments!