The Cleveland Orchestra: Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony at Blossom Music Center

Is it an apology or defiance?

In 1937, at the height of the Stalinist purges, Dmitri Shostakovich found himself denounced by the Soviet government, fearing for his life. At this point, he found the courage to compose the Fifth Symphony in D Minor, Op. 47, publishing it with the ironic title “A Soviet Artist’s Reply to Just Criticism”. The premiere in November 1937 in Leningrad was a success, receiving a standing ovation lasting over half an hour - a critical, personal, and political salvation. Russian pianist and teacher Heinrich Neuhaus called the work “deep, meaningful, gripping music, classical in the integrity of its conception, perfect in form, and the mastery of orchestral writing – music striking for its novelty and originality, but at the same time somehow hauntingly familiar, so truly and sincerely does it recount human feelings”.

The Cleveland Orchestra, under the baton of maestro Hannu Lintu, will also be performing the fourth movement from Sibelius’ Lemminkäien Suite, following the story of the heroic character Lemminkäien from the Kalevala, a collection of folkloric, mythic, and epic poetry. The last movement, “Lemminkäien’s Return”, concludes the story, where Lemminkäien journeys home after his adventures in battle.

Principal Cello Mark Kosower features as a soloist in the Cello Concerto by William Walton, a modern masterpiece. The work reflects aspects of Walton’s unique ability to “express his magic in the voices of the orchestra and the solo instrument”. This work will be accompanied by the Kent Blossom Chamber Orchestra.

The Cleveland Orchestra is returning to their summer home, the Blossom Music Centre, this season for the most anticipated event on their calendar – the Blossom Music Festival. The orchestra, with over 100 highly qualified musicians from across the world, has been hailed by the New York Times as “America’s most brilliant orchestra” and rated by Gramophone as one of the top 10 orchestras in the world.

The stunning 13,500-seat Blossom Music Center is the perfect venue for summer nights under the stars filled with the best music, performed by the best musicians, under the batons of some of the world’s most illustrious conductors. With luscious gardens, a restaurant and even an art gallery to top it all off, audiences are guaranteed a fantastic experience unlike any other!