RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra 

Friday 20 May 2016, 8pm
National Concert Hall
SHOSTAKOVICH : THE WARTIME SYMPHONIES

HAYDN Symphony No. 96, 'The Miracle' [23']
RAVEL Piano Concerto in G [23']
RAVEL Le tombeau de Couperin [17'] 
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 9 in E flat [27']

Haydn's sparklingly inventive 'Miracle' Symphony superbly sets the mood for Ravel's rhythmically vital, jazz-influenced Piano Concerto and the 'brilliant technique' (Chicago Tribune) of young French keyboard virtuoso David Fray. Ravel's Baroque-accented, oboe-led orchestration of Le tombeau de Couperin is a gentle and affecting tribute to the victims of the First World War. The last of his War Symphonies, Shostakovich's Ninth is his most classical in style and structure. Its apparently unfettered gaiety and jubilation is regarded by many as an unsettlingly ironic statement, marking the end of a conflict that had offered victory at the cost of the most appalling suffering.

David Fray piano
Gérard Korsten conductor

Soundings, 7pm | In Conversation: Gérard Korsten

Tickets: €15, €23.50, €29.50, €35
Limited concessions available: €13.50, €21.15, €26.55, €31.50
Booking: 01 417 0000 | www.nch.ie | www.rte.ie/nso