PLAY! Festival 2023

Taut, angst-ridden and defiant in tone sums up much of Shostakovich's musical output. With much of his music written under the glaring eye of oppression, it is difficult to imagine evoking anything else. However, his Piano Concerto No.2 is a gloriously free, wistful creation – particularly in the famous second movement, which guarantees the whole work’s enduring popularity. Join Rebecca Miller, pianist Kevin Ma (2022 Concerto Competition Finalist), and our Festival Orchestra for an open rehearsal on this work, and find out the many faces of Shostakovich. 

About the performers 

California-born conductor Rebecca Miller has earned an international reputation for her compelling, insightful, and energetic presence on the podium and for her ability to communicate with audiences of all ages. Most recently she has guest-conducted the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, London Mozart Players, London Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra (at the BBC Proms), BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Royal Northern Sinfonia, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, New Haven Symphony Orchestra, City of London Sinfonia, National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional de Mexico, Gävle Symphony Orchestra, Västerås Sinfonietta and Dalarnsinfoniettan in Sweden, and Kuopio Symphony Orchestra in Finland. Read more.