Written during his self-imposed exile from Russia on the shores of Lake Lucerne, Rachmaninov’s Third Symphony is a brooding, nostalgic work inspired by his Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Any doubts surrounding his homesickness are quickly laid to rest by the influence of Slavic folk music and dance rhythms in the final movement. It is coupled with Shostakovich’s Festive Overture in a concert that forms part of MSO’s new Meet the Music series for secondary schools. Lawrence Renes conducts.

Limelight Editor’s Choice

Always a favourite conductor with MSO audiences, Lawrence Renes leads the MSO in this stellar program of Rachmaninov’s sweeping third and final symphony and Shostakovich’s effervescent overture.

Shostakovich’s aptly-named Festive Overture is the perfect orchestral party piece, opening the concert with a brassy fanfare to set the mood for the incredible work to follow.

Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninov wrote his third and final symphony in exile in the 1930s. The sweeping melodies for which Rachmaninov is known are underpinned by a hidden depth of uneasiness and unpredictability.