Teodor Currentzis conducts Shostakovich and Britten — With Steven Isserlis

The Mahler Chamber Orchestra is orchestra-in-residence at the KlaraFestival 2013, a Belgian music festival of international renown, featuring both modern and classical repertoire.

The concerts of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra constitute one of the highlights of this year's festival. Alongside young Greek conductor Teodor Currentzis, an “eccentric super-talented maestro”, the orchestra is dedicating its performance to Benjamin Britten and Dmitri Shostakovich, two composers known for being both good colleagues and good friends.

The performances include Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No.1, at whose world premiere in London in 1960 the two composers met for the first time. Alongside this classic work (one of the most popular cello concertos of the 20th century) are programed Britten's Sinfonietta and Shostakovich’s Symphony No.1.

Photo: © Deniz Saylan