Unlimited tragedy

An evening full of extremes of emotions. Love and struggle alternate in Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet, followed by the beautiful sounds of Rudi Stephan. This German composer was considered one of the most talented musicians of his time, but during the First World War he died at the age of 28 at the front in what is now Ukraine. Musik für Geige und Orchester is a beautiful late romantic composition in which the entire orchestra enters into a dialogue with the soloist, concertmaster of the VU Orchestra: Lucien Renette.

After the break, you will hear the imposing Tenth Symphony by Dmitri Shostakovich. He fought against the Soviet regime and his music was heavily censored, often leaving him in fear for his life. After Stalin's death he wrote this symphony, in which he puts an end to Stalinism for good and makes many references to the victims who fell under the brutal regime. As is often the case, he uses the DSCH motif (the notes D-Eb-C-B), a motif that symbolizes his name. He also spells the name of a secret lover with the notes E La Mi Re La, referring to the pianist Elmira Nazirova.