Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO): Leonskaja plays The ‘Emperor’
Prokofiev Symphony No 1 ‘Classical’
Shostakovich arr Barshai Chamber Symphony, Op 110a
Beethoven Piano Concerto No 5 ‘Emperor’
Kindly supported by Dunard Fund
Clemens Schuldt Conductor
Elisabeth Leonskaja Piano
Few pianists truly deserve the epithet ‘great’ but Elisabeth Leonskaja is surely one of them. Now in her seventies, she continues to cast a spell over audiences, especially in her interpretations of Beethoven. The experience and insight of decades living with this music gives a special nobility and profundity to her playing; and its sheer beauty makes her an ideal interpreter for the sublime ‘Emperor’ concerto.
In the first half Clemens Schuldt acknowledges Leonskaja’s heritage with two hugely popular symphonies by the greatest Soviet composers. The shenanigans and wit of Prokofiev’s ‘Classical’ contrast starkly with the intense tragedy unleashed by Shostakovich: powerful, moving stuff.
Pre-concert performance 6.30pm:
Performance by students from Aberdeen City Music School