Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony by Auerbach, Lera, Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky, P. I., Fri 09 May 2025, From (2025/2025), Conductor Gemma New, City Halls, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Imagine...a journey from darkness to light. Struggles between love & despair inspire a pulse-raising master-piece that stirs the soul. Sometimes art imitates life so closely that you can almost feel its breath. “With passion and desire” wrote Tchaikovsky on the slow movement of his Fifth Symphony, and the whole piece is a struggle between love and despair, told in elegant waltzes, bittersweet songs and melody after sweeping melody. Gemma New is always a popular guest conductor here in Scotland, and she knows exactly how to get to the heart of a masterpiece – whether Lera Auerbach’s fiery retelling of the myth of Icarus, or the shadows, secrets and burning truths of Shostakovich’s powerful First Violin Concerto. Rosanne Philippens is the soloist today: a violinist who believes that every note should convey emotion, and forge a connection.