Shostakovich and Weinberg: A Musical Friendship

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Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975), a famous Soviet composer and Mieczyslav Weinberg (1919-1996), a Jewish composer who was persecuted by the Soviet State, had an unusual and long-term personal and professional relationship. While Weinberg was almost entirely ignored by the Soviet musical establishment, Shostakovich considered Weinberg to be one of the foremost Soviet composers and helped him in numerous ways including, protecting his family after Weinberg was arrested in 1953 on charges of "Jewish bourgeois nationalism." The two composers shared new compositions, and Shostakovich was influenced by the Jewish elements in Weinberg's music.

Join us as we explore the history, relationship and music of these two extraordinary composers. The program will begin with a short talk by the Sidney Krum Series Artistic Director, Yuval Waldman, on the lives and musical contributions of Weinberg and Shostakovich. This presentation will be followed by the concert program, which will include selections from the film Winnie the Pooh (composed by Weinberg), as well as performances by the brilliant young artists of the Krum Concert Series of excerpts from Shostakovich's "From Yiddish Folk Poetry," piano trios by Weinberg and Shotakovich, and solo sonatas for violin and cello by Weinberg.

The Sidney Krum Young Artists Concert Series is made possible by a generous gift from the Estate of Sidney Krum.