Schnittke and Stravinsky

The evening

Schnittke’s Cello Concerto reflects the composer’s tortured mind, and in Stravinsky’s ballet, a mythical creature comes to cinematic life.

This concert’s two Russian works come from opposite ends of the 20th century, both grappling with themes of dark and light. In his iridescent 1910 ballet The Firebird, Stravinsky narrates Prince Ivan’s battle against the sorcerer Koschei. Armed with a startling colour palette, Stravinsky unleashes the full power of the orchestra, and one of music’s most triumphant finales.

Completed in 1986 after a near-fatal stroke, Schnittke’s Cello Concerto No 1 is an unflinching self-portrait, its dissonant, distorted harmonies mirroring the composer’s emotional anguish, before a haunting finale offers hard-won respite from pain.

LSO Principal Cello, the charismatic David Cohen is the ideal soloist for Schnittke’s uncompromising concerto. LSO Principal Guest Conductor Gianandrea Noseda will apply his eye for orchestral detail and colour to Stravinsky’s radiant score.

Generously supported by Alex and Elena Gerko.