Semyon Bychkov and Víkingur Ólafsson

While the Napoleonic Wars were raging, Ludwig van Beethoven created one of his most brilliant works: the Fifth Piano Concerto – played here by Víkingur Ólafsson – defies the challenges of the time with its heroic optimism. Semyon Bychkov then conducts Dmitri Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony, composed in the shadow of Stalinist tyranny. Triumphant at first glance, it reveals an ironic ambiguity – a work that feigns rejoicing and undermines it at the same time.

Berliner Philharmoniker

Semyon Bychkov

Víkingur Ólafsson

Artists

Semyon Bychkov Conductor

Ludwig van Beethoven Composer

Víkingur Ólafsson Piano

Dmitri Shostakovich Composer

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