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Soviet/fascist orchestral face-off
SIMON DUFF is thrilled by the provocative pairing of two major works from a time of profound ideological opposition

Dmitri Shostakovich, Symphony No 3 / Carl Orff, Carmina Burana
The Barbican, London 

 

A HEADY mix of Dmitri Shostakovich and Carl Orff made for a night of power and drama, exploring extremes of melody nature and history, provided by the London Symphony Orchestra and guests at London’s Barbican. 

Orff’s Carmina Burana and Shostakovich’s Symphony No 3 are two major orchestral choral works written within six years of each other, both at times of unprecedented social and political upheaval.

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