麻豆社

Afternoon on 3 with Verity Sharp

The 麻豆社 Symphony Orchestra and Jir铆 Belohl谩vek at last night's 麻豆社 Proms. Shostakovich's 10th Symphony, Isabelle Faust in Bartok's 2nd Violin Concerto and a John Tavener premiere.

Presented by Penny Gore at the Royal Albert Hall, London.

Tavener: Gnosis (麻豆社 commission; world premiere)
Bart贸k: Violin Concerto No. 2

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93

Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano)
Michael Cox (alto flute)
Isabelle Faust (violin)
麻豆社 Symphony Orchestra
Jir铆 Belohl谩vek (conductor)

Isabelle Faust's association with Bart贸k extends back to her very first recording. Now, fresh from an acclaimed disc of both the composer's violin concertos, she joins the 麻豆社 SO and Conductor Laureate Jir铆 Belohl谩vek for Bart贸k's Second Violin Concerto. Written under the threat of Fascism, it's a passionate national statement, lively with folk rhythms.

By the early 1950s and Shostakovich's 10th Symphony, threat had become reality. This violent, despairing work paints a vivid portrait of the horrors of Stalin's Russia. The evening opened with the first of two posthumous premieres this season from the late John Tavener - some of the last works from England's great musical mystic. Gnosis, written for mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly with solo alto flute, strings and percussion.

First broadcast 23rd July 2014.