Schumann and Shostakovich: Romance, Passion and Politics

Two composers will share the spotlight in the New Zealand String Quartet’s annual two programme series in August. The concerts will acknowledge the 200th birthday of Schumann, the great Romantic, and illuminate his music by pairing it with that of Shostakovich, an equally passionate but very different composer.

Schumann was a composer free to create as he wished. His music is flexible, self-indulgent, personal and full of explicit emotion. Shostakovich, on the other hand, was forced by the political climate to present deep and intimate feelings in a coded and enigmatic language.

And what will audiences experience? “I think the juxtaposition of these two masters of the string quartet will emphasise the individuality and power of each,” says Helene Pohl, 1st violinist.

This will be the 9th year of the New Zealand String Quartet’s annual series, now a significant event in the New Zealand concert calendar, eagerly awaited by chamber music fans. For each series the musicians have chosen a special theme, composer or group of composers to explore in depth and share with audiences.

Programme:
- Shostakovich String Quartet No 5 (1952)
- Schumann String Quartet in A major Opus 41 No 3
- Shostakovich String Quartet No 9 (1964)

Event listed by NZSQ

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