What's On — Bartok events

CBSO Nelsons Conducts Shostakovich
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Tue 27 Apr 7:30pm Symphony Hall

Muddle or music? If you had just written the loudest, most ambitious, most terrifying symphony since Mahler, and found your music criticised in the national press on behalf of a leader who enjoyed killing anyone who got in his way, what would you do? Well, Shostakovich decided to withdraw his epic Fourth Symphony in 1936 before its first performance, only for it to resurface decades later and be recognised as one of his greatest masterpieces. An outstanding German violinist joins the Orchestra for a more optimistic 1930s classic.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Andris Nelsons* _conductor_ *Frank Peter Zimmermann* _violin_
*Bartók* Violin Concerto No 2 36’ *Shostakovich* Symphony No 4 60’
CBSO Beethoven's Pastoral
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Thu 24 Jun 7:30pm Symphony Hall

It’s summer - so it must be Beethoven’s _Pastoral_ Symphony. From its dewy-fresh opening to the serene _Shepherd’s Hymn_ with which it closes, no composer has ever captured the healing power of nature more timelessly. Two centuries on, it’s still a candidate for the most relaxing piece of music ever written. Guest conductor Ludovic Morlot brings a uniquely Gallic lightness of touch to Beethoven’s inspiration - and plenty of colour for Bartók’s folk-flavoured miniatures. They’ll stand him in good stead for the amazing sound-world of Ligeti’s Violin Concerto. French virtuoso Renaud Capuçon brings all his skill to bear on the ravishing colours, child-like humour and crackling energy of this true modern classic. Pre-concert talk, 6.15pm: *Ligeti's Violin Concerto* Writer and Broadcaster Anthony Burton on this 20th century masterpiece.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Ludovic Morlot* _conductor_ *Renaud Capuçon* _violin_
*Bartók* Two Pictures 17' *Ligeti* Violin Concerto 28' *Beethoven* Symphony No 6 (_Pastoral_) 40'