Bringing Music To Life

This program is devoted to music by the Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich, who often infused his music with personal and political significance. The Chamber Symphony is a musical obituary he composed for himself in 1960 when he was sick and reluctantly becoming a member of the Communist Party. It summarizes his musical life by including many references to his earlier compositions. Symphony no. 9 marks the end of World War II and the Soviets’ victory over the Nazis in 1945. His friend, the cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, had long wanted Shostakovich to write a concerto for him, but was warned that if he asked, Shostakovich would refuse. His silence was rewarded in 1959, and Cello Concerto no. 1 became an immediate success.

Sponsored by:
The Jury Foundation
Patricia G. Rennert Trust
Saginaw Arts and Enrichment Commission
Jim and Christine Church

Often called “America’s composer,” John Williams has been creating movie music since 1959. Williams has composed the soundtrack for eight of the twenty highest grossing films at the U.S. box office. This October, the Williams musical magic continues as SBSO prepare a Pops performance that pays tribute to even more music from this Hollywood legend.

Endowed Concert Sponsor Leo and Emelie Kahan
Major Concert Sponsor Tri-Star Trust

The world premiere of KRUPA by Maestro Fakhouri opens the concert followed by concertmaster Eliot Heaton as the soloist in the brilliant Violin Concerto by 20th-century Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian. The evening concludes with César Franck’s Symphony in D minor. Franck wrote his only symphony towards the end of his life only because his students persuaded him. This Romantic work is by turns brooding, beatific, explosive, and finally triumphant.

Covenant HealthCare
Jury Foundation
Patricia G Renner Trust
Deborah and Al Huntley in memory of Doris Robsky

This program is devoted to music by the Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich, who often infused his music with personal and political significance. The Chamber Symphony is a musical obituary he composed for himself in 1960 when he was sick and reluctantly becoming a member of the Communist Party. It summarizes his musical life by including many references to his earlier compositions. Symphony no. 9 marks the end of World War II and the Soviets’ victory over the Nazis in 1945. His friend, the cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, had long wanted Shostakovich to write a concerto for him, but was warned that if he asked, Shostakovich would refuse. His silence was rewarded in 1959, and Cello Concerto no. 1 became an immediate success.

Patricia G. Rennert Trust
Saginaw Arts and Enrichment Commission
Jim and Christine Church