Shostakovich’s Eighth Symphony dates from the darkest days of the Second World War, when making music scarcely seemed possible. He dedicated it to all victims of oppression. Conductor Emeritus Ludovic Morlot begins a season-long celebration marking 150 years since Maurice Ravel’s birth with Concerto for the Left Hand. Composed for Paul Wittgenstein, who lost his right arm in World War I, Ravel’s concerto spans the expressive power of the whole keyboard and bubbles with dark energy. We also salute the centenary of musical powerhouse Pierre Boulez.

Thursday 7:30

Saturday 8:00