Jukka-Pekka Saraste conducts Shostakovich's Fourth Symphony

The evening begins with John Adams's setting of Walt Whitman's poetry in The Wound-Dresser. You will hear a restrained, introspective work for baritone and orchestra that reflects on the quiet acts of care during times of conflict. The music is characterized by its steady, pulsing rhythm and long melodic lines, creating a space for reflection before the interval. In total contrast, the second half features Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 4 in C minor. This is a work of immense scale and force, requiring an exceptionally large orchestra. You should listen for the composer’s daring experiments with structure and harmony, which were so bold that the piece remained unperformed for twenty-five years after its completion. It moves from frantic, machine-like energy to moments of hollow stillness, culminating in a coda where the celesta provides a haunting, fading conclusion. The shift from the intimate vocal opening to the vast symphonic finish provides a dramatic arc for the concert.

Jukka-Pekka Saraste leads the BBC Symphony Orchestra, an ensemble rooted in the London musical landscape and celebrated for its commitment to complex twentieth-century and contemporary scores. They are joined by the BBC Symphony Chorus for this performance. Baritone Morgan Pearse features as the soloist in the first half of the programme. The orchestra is particularly known for its versatility and its ability to navigate the massive sonic requirements of late-Romantic and modern symphonic works, making them well-suited to the demands of Shostakovich’s writing.

This performance takes place at the Barbican in London. The programme features two distinct works with an interval in between. Shostakovich’s symphony is a significant and loud undertaking, so it may be intense for those attending their first classical concert. There is no specific dress code for the venue, though most attendees opt for smart-casual attire. The vocal work by John Adams is set to English text. Please note that the total running time has not been specified, so we recommend allowing at least two and a half hours for the full event.