Piano Solo – Elyane Laussade 

STRAUSS I Radetzky March, Op. 228  

BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 5, Op. 73 “Emperor” 

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SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 5  

A spirited burst of energy from Strauss’s Radetzky March kicks off this rousing program, from which follows an extraordinary exploration of the relationship between music and power.  

Finding himself in the life-endangering displeasure of Stalin after his bold and inaccessible opera – the ‘muddle instead of music’ – Shostakovich was scrambling to get back into political favour. His fifth symphony did the trick: its optimistic fanfare finale and simple, sing-able melodies apparently patriotic enough to satisfy the Soviet agenda.  

Both gripping and formidable, Symphony No. 5’s striking proportion and vivid themes convey an impenetrable meaning. Was Shostakovich making a mockery of his reviled Stalin in the exhilarating but manic finale? You’ll have to make up your own mind. 

Worlds away from the grit of Shostakovich, Beethoven’s beloved fifth piano concerto – ‘The Emperor’ – casts off the grim Soviet shadow. Not without its own political embroilment, ‘The Emperor’ was once dedicated to Beethoven’s hero Napoleon Bonaparte, before Beethoven famously struck his name from the manuscript in disgust after he assumed the position of emperor. 

Bringing her dazzling touch to this joyous work is acclaimed concert pianist Elyanne Laussade. Elyanne returns after numerous successful performances with the BSO to continue her Beethoven residency. This is the second instalment in a very treasured collaboration which sees Elyanne perform all of the Beethoven piano concertos with BSO.  

Join us for this special celebration of warmth and light, and experience the many faces of heroism in this truly compelling concert.