The world’s only regularly occurring Shostakovich festival.
The International Shostakovich Days Gohrisch will take place from 22 to 25 June 2023 for the 14th timel. This unique festival in the spa town of Gohrisch in Saxon Switzerland is a true Mecca for fans of the famous Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich. He is considered one of the greatest of the 20th century and his works reflect the difficult living conditions during the Soviet Union. Shostakovich had a special relationship with Gohrisch. In 1960, during the first of his two stays in the town, he composed his Eighth String Quartet in C minor, op. 110. It is considered one of his most important works and is demonstrably the only one Shostakovich composed outside the Soviet Union.
In collaboration with the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden and internationally renowned artists and ensembles, a varied programme is presented each year in honour of Shostakovich.
In addition to music by its namesake, the current programme also focuses on works by Alfred Schnittke and Krzysztof Meyer. With his polystylistic writing, Schnittke put the contradictions of the late Soviet era into sound like no other. He died 25 years ago in Hamburg. Meyer has been closely associated with the Shostakovich Days from the beginning. The one-time friend of Shostakovich and his later biographer celebrates his 80th birthday this year - an occasion to honour him with this year's Shostakovich Prize.
Artists such as Yulianna Avdeeva, Angela Yoffe, the Quatuor Danel, Vadim Gluzman, Isang Enders and Boris Giltburg will trace the work of these three and composers and build a bridge to other composers.
An additional highlight is the performance evening of the partner orchestra, the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden, in which some musicians* of the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester will participate.
Russia's terrible war of aggression on Ukraine will also be addressed again. After a focus on the music of Valentin Silvestrov last year, the Ukrainian Mriya Quartet will be invited to conclude the 2023 festival, introducing audiences to more composers from their threatened homeland. The Ukrainian word "Mriya" means "dream" and in this context stands for music-making beyond war and the misery that comes with it.
In collaboration with the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden and internationally renowned artists and ensembles, a varied programme is presented each year in honour of Shostakovich.
In addition to music by its namesake, the current programme also focuses on works by Alfred Schnittke and Krzysztof Meyer. With his polystylistic writing, Schnittke put the contradictions of the late Soviet era into sound like no other. He died 25 years ago in Hamburg. Meyer has been closely associated with the Shostakovich Days from the beginning. The one-time friend of Shostakovich and his later biographer celebrates his 80th birthday this year - an occasion to honour him with this year's Shostakovich Prize.
Artists such as Yulianna Avdeeva, Angela Yoffe, the Quatuor Danel, Vadim Gluzman, Isang Enders and Boris Giltburg will trace the work of these three and composers and build a bridge to other composers.
An additional highlight is the performance evening of the partner orchestra, the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden, in which some musicians* of the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester will participate.
Russia's terrible war of aggression on Ukraine will also be addressed again. After a focus on the music of Valentin Silvestrov last year, the Ukrainian Mriya Quartet will be invited to conclude the 2023 festival, introducing audiences to more composers from their threatened homeland. The Ukrainian word "Mriya" means "dream" and in this context stands for music-making beyond war and the misery that comes with it.
