China's 'bro-in-law' back with Shostakovich
Russian conductor Valery Gergiev is at the forefront of the Mariinsky Orchestra, on November 21, where they will play some classic Dmitri Shostakovich pieces among several others at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center.
Programs featured in the first half of the concert include Claude Debussy’s “Prelude a l’apres-midi d’un faune,” followed by Felix Mendelssohn’s “Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op 90.” The audience will then enjoy Shostakovich’s “Symphony No. 5 in D Minor, Op 47” in the second half.
It will be the first time Gergiev has presented Shostakovich’s work in Shanghai. It is also a rare chance for a Shanghai audience to listen to Gergiev’s interpretation of non-Russian composers’ works.
Valery Gergiev
Mariinsky Orchestra (formerly known as the Kirov Orchestra) was founded in 1783. Based in St Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theater, it’s one of the oldest musical institutions in Russia.
Gergiev became chief conductor and artistic director of the Mariinsky in 1988, and was appointed the overall director of the company by the Russian government in 1996. He brought Mariinsky Orchestra to China for the first time in 1998, staging two concerts in Beijing, and has built up their fame among Chinese classical music followers since then.
Seven years ago, Gergiev and Mariinsky Orchestra performed at Shanghai Oriental Art Center for the first time, joining hands with China’s star pianist Lang Lang.
The pronunciation of Gergiev is similar to jiefu in mandarin, which means brother-in-law. Therefore, the Russian conductor has been nicknamed “brother-in-law” by the Chinese fans.
Performance info
Date: November 21, 7:30pm
Tickets: 80-1,580 yuan
Venue: Shanghai Oriental Art Center
Address: 425 Dingxiang Rd, Pudong New Area
