Shostakovich Festival 2025 at Gewandhaus Leipzig

Two highlight concerts of the 2025 Shostakovich Festival will be recorded and streamed live – marking a musical anniversary.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dmitri Shostakovich’s death, the Gewandhaus zu Leipzig is organizing a unique festival featuring world-class artists and orchestras. The opening concert is the first highlight: the Gewandhausorchester, under the baton of its music director Andris Nelsons, performs Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the acclaimed pianist Daniil Trifonov as well Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 4.

Another centrepiece of the festival will be Shostakovich’s Leningrad Symphony, with Andris Nelsons leading the combined forces of Gewandhausorchester and Boston Symphony at the Gewandhaus. Since 2018, both orchestras have developed a close transatlantic partnership.

Written during World War II, Dmitri Shostakovich's 7th Symphony, known as the Leningrad Symphony, stands as a masterpiece of both artistic and historical significance. Premiered in 1941 amidst the siege of Leningrad, it became a symbol of resistance against Nazi occupation.

Arte Concert Live on May 15, 7.30 pm – program 1
Festive Overture
Piano Concerto No. 2
Symphony No. 4
Gewandhausorchester
Andris Nelsons, conductor
Daniil Trifonov, piano

A 4K HDR production of Accentus Music in coproduction with ZDF/Arte.

Arte Concert Live on May 23, 7.30 pm – program 2
Symphony No. 7 "Leningrad"
Gewandhausorchester
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Andris Nelsons, conductor

A 4K HDR production of Accentus Music in coproduction with MDR/Arte and NHK, in cooperation with Mezzo.