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Arvo Pärt & Shostakovich

Arvo Pärt & Shostakovich
19 Mar - 1 Apr 2020
Arvo Pärt, Shostakovich and Prokofiev.

In this deeply reflective program, the ACO explores the impassioned and transformative music of some of Eastern Europe's most beloved composers: Shostakovich, Prokofiev and Estonia’s Arvo Pärt.

Arvo Pärt is one of the most performed and influential composers writing today. Richard Tognetti and Satu Vänskä will shine in his double concerto for two violins and orchestra, Tabula Rasa, a work that has become a cult favourite amongst music lovers. This will be followed by ten virtuoso violins uniting to perform Prokofiev’s fiendishly challenging Sonata for Solo Violin in D major.

The concert concludes with Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony in C minor, a string orchestra arrangement of the composer’s famous Eighth String Quartet. This extremely personal and emotive masterpiece leaps from despair to brutal force, before coming to a haunting acceptance, serving as a lament for victims of fascism and war, as well as a vehicle for self-reflection.


Program Details

KILAR – Orawa
8:00
ARVO PÄRT – Tabula Rasa
26:00
PROKOFIEV – Sonata for Solo Violin in D major*
13:00
KAIJA SAARIAHO – Nymphéa: Misterioso – Australian Premiere
3:00
SHOSTAKOVICH – Chamber Symphony (arr. Barshai)
23:00
*Performed by all the violinists in the ACO
CONCERT duration
95 min (incl interval)
Playlist by the ACO
Arvo Pärt & Shostakovich
Join us 45 minutes before the performance to learn about the concert from a music expert. Speakers will be announced prior to the first concert date.

Thu 19 Mar, 6:45pm


Sat 21 Mar, 7:15pm


Sun 22 Mar, 1:45pm


Mon 23 Mar, 6:45pm


Tue 24 Mar, 7:15pm


Wed 25 Mar, 6:15pm


Sat 28 Mar, 6:15pm


Sun 29 Mar, 1:15pm


Thu 26 Mar, 6:45pm


Mon 30 Mar, 6:15pm


Tue 31 Mar, 6:45pm


Wed 1 Apr, 6:45pm


Artists

ACO Artistic Director Richard Tognetti

Richard Tognetti AO

Director & Violin

Richard Tognetti is Artistic Director and Lead Violin of the ACO. He has established an international reputation for his compelling performances and artistic individualism.

Richard has appeared as director or soloist with many of the world’s leading orchestras. He was Artistic Director of Slovenia’s Festival Maribor from 2008 to 2015 and the first Artist-in-Residence at the Barbican Centre’s Milton Court in 2016. In addition, he has curated and co-composed film scores including the ACO’s Mountain.

Read Full Bio

ACO Principal Violin Satu Vanska

Satu Vänskä

Violin & Vocals

Satu Vänskä was appointed Principal Violin of the ACO in 2004. She regularly performs as lead violin and soloist with the ACO. Satu is also frontwoman, violinist and vocalist of ACO Underground, the ACO’s electro-infused, experimental spin-off band.
The Australian Chamber Orchestra on stage

Australian Chamber Orchestra

The Australian Chamber Orchestra travels a remarkable road. Making waves across Australia and around the world for its explosive performances and brave interpretations, the ACO embraces celebrated classics alongside new commissions, and adventurous cross-artform collaborations.

Composers

Composer Dmitri Shostakovich

Dmitri Shostakovich

Dmitri Shostakovich was a Russian composer and pianist who achieved great fame in the Soviet Union, but had a complex relationship with its government. His works, which tried to reconcile themes of Socialist revolution with the musical revolutions of his time, attracted both acclaim and contention. His 15 symphonies, concertos and 15 string quartets are frequently performed.
Composer Kaija Saariahov

Kaija Saariaho

Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho is one of the leading creative figures of her generation; a truly original artist with a very distinctive musical style and personal voice, developed and refined over decades. She was won the Kranichsteiner Prize, the Nordic Council Music Prize, the Grawemeyer, the Nemmers Prize in Composition, the Wihuri Sibelius Prize and the Léonie Sonning Music Prize.
Composer Sergei Prokofiev

Sergei Prokofiev

Sergei Prokofiev was a Russian composer and pianist who composed popular works across many genres, spanning ballet, opera, symphonies, concertos and sonatas. Under the Soviet Union, friends and colleagues disappeared around him, but he earned enough recognition and fame to become one of the 20th century’s most popular composers.

Nidia Dias and Martin Gunnarsson's creative response to Arvo Pärt’s Tabula Rasa, created in collaboration with Satu Vänskä.

Watch All Responses

Creative Responses

Artist Rory McLean's creative responseto Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony, created in collaboration with ACO violinist Ilya Isakovich.

Collaboration and experimentation lie at the heart of everything we do here at the ACO. To celebrate this milestone year where we mark Richard Tognetti’s 30th year as Artistic Director, we commissioned a series of short films inspired by our musicians and the music in our season. Each film was created by a leading 3D digital animation artist with insights and guidance from one of our musicians. These sound and motion experiments utilise the latest technology to communicate humanity, emotion and the often visceral response we have to music.

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