"Today, I am as old as the Jewish people themselves" – Baby Yar
Shostakovich's great Symphony No. 13 was composed based on the poem Baby Yar, which reflects on the massacre of thousands of Jews by the Nazis in Kyiv. It was written for a bass soloist, male choir, and large orchestra. The work is imbued with a somber and introspective tone, emphasizing vocal elements and declamation. It combines the structure of classical symphonies with music typical of Russian tradition.
The symphony consists of the following movements:
1st Movement: Adagio – An elegy and funeral ode, with a voice invoking Anne Frank.
2nd Movement: Allegretto – Featuring a song as an ode to humor, offering relief from oppression. As a metaphor, it portrays irreverent strength—a playful image that contrasts with the somewhat somber tone of the other movements.
3rd Movement: Adagio – Aiming to be an ode to the Russian woman, celebrating her sacrifice and endurance in a melancholic tone.
4th Movement: Largo – Evoking "fear," it reflects the failure to fulfill a vision of a society striving for equality and social justice.
5th Movement: Allegretto – A depiction of careerists, where the work gains a moment of lightness, becoming vocally more lyrical and soothing, with bells ringing as a conclusion.
Shostakovich greatly admired his compatriot composer Mussorgsky, whose influence can be seen in this composition.
The Conductor and Soloist
Conductor Nuno Coelho proved to be a revelation, achieving beautiful nuances and, most importantly, respecting the male voices in the choir by not overpowering them with the orchestra's strong sound. This deserves high praise, as there are conductors who, as if in competition with the singers, sadly drown out their voices, especially during the finales.
The legendary Swiss bass, endowed with a powerful yet sweet voice, as well as a bass-baritone register with beautiful high notes and a rich tonal quality, delivered an exceptional performance.
Opening Work: Xántara
The concert began with Xántara, a piece by composer Andreia Pinto Correia (b. 1971). The work has been described by The New York Times as an "auditory tapestry" and "powerfully meditative," and has also been praised by The Boston Globe and other U.S. outlets. Andreia has been a resident artist at the Rockefeller Foundation and a guest associate professor at the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University, among other distinctions.