Shostakovich Days Gohrisch on the 50th anniversary of his death

The Gohrisch International Shostakovich Days at the end of June will mark the 50th anniversary of the composer's death. Dmitri Shostakovich died on August 9, 1975. The 16th edition of the festival (June 26 to 29) in the small town in Saxon Switzerland will therefore feature key works by him. As in previous years, there will also be "new" works by Shostakovich. This time it is a Romance for bass and piano, a fragment of which was discovered in the archive in 2019.

Musical reckoning with Stalin

"In this commemorative year, we are focusing in particular on the 8th String Quartet. It is a work that bundles Shostakovich's biography as if in a burning mirror, an autobiographical legacy", emphasized Tobias Niederschlag, Artistic Director of the festival. Shostakovich composed the quartet in Gohrisch in July 1960. It is considered one of the central chamber music works of the 20th century and, like his 10th Symphony, a personal reckoning with Stalin.

Pianist Yulianna Avdeeva will perform a piano matinee with works by Frédéric Chopin and the festival's namesake. She reminded the audience that Shostakovich was also an outstanding pianist. "In 1927, he took part in the first Chopin Competition in Warsaw, but did not win a prize, only a diploma. This contributed to the fact that from then on he devoted himself more to composing than to the piano." Chopin's influence on the young Shostakovich was great.

In addition, works by two composers to whom Shostakovich felt a connection will be performed: Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven. The guest performance by the Kremerata Baltica under the direction of Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla will juxtapose Shostakovich's 14th Symphony with works by his friend Mieczysław Weinberg. Actor Ulrich Noethen will make his Gohrisch debut with a musical reading.

Dresden Staatskapelle receives Shostakovich Prize

The Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden, whose members play a key role in shaping the festival every year, will be honored with the Shostakovich Prize. On the eve of the Shostakovich Days, the orchestra will once again give a special concert in Dresden's Kulturpalast.

Shostakovich is one of the most important composers of the 20th century. He left behind a diverse oeuvre with 15 symphonies, instrumental concertos, operas, film music, vocal works and chamber music. His works are an integral part of the worldwide concert repertoire.