The works of Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) continue to exert a strong attraction on audiences and artists alike. The 15th edition of the International Shostakovich Days Gohrisch in Saxon Switzerland in June has also attracted stars of the music business. As the organizer announced in Dresden on Tuesday, violinist Gidon Kremer, cellist Marie-Elisabeth Hecker, pianist Martin Helmchen and singer Matthias Goerne are among those who plan to attend. In addition to the works of Shostakovich, the focus will be on works by Modest Mussorgsky and Alexander Raskatov. Mussorgsky was an important stylistic and aesthetic role model for Shostakovich, while Raskatov carries the Shostakovich tradition into the present day, emphasized festival director Tobias Niederschlag.
The festival programme from 27 to 30 June includes seven concerts and a film screening. The Shostakovich Prize will be awarded to Irina Antonovna Shostakovich; the composer's widow intends to come to Gohrisch herself. Raskatov, who has lived in France for many years, has also announced his attendance. "I've known about the Shostakovich Days in Gohrisch for a long time. Now I'm finally going to visit this historic place. It means a lot to me that my music will be heard in this unique context," the music festival quoted the artist as saying. He is currently completing a fragment left behind by Shostakovich - a romance for bass and piano. The piece is to be premiered in Gohrisch with Goerne and Alexander Schmalcz (piano).
