Shostakovich and Brahms

Violinist Maxim Vengerov is one of the truly great classical stars of our time. In addition to performing on the world’s leading stages, he is also a guest professor at both the International Menuhin Music Academy in Switzerland and the Royal College of Music in London. He made his debut at Konserthuset Stockholm over 30 years ago. In spring 2025, he returns to perform the Sibelius Violin Concerto with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra.

For the first time, we now hear him in recital. Accompanied by Russian pianist Polina Osetinskaya – who has publicly condemned the invasion of Ukraine – Vengerov revisits some of his personal favourites. The programme begins with music by Shostakovich from the song cycle From Jewish Folk Poetry, in a powerful arrangement for violin and piano, as well as his opulent Violin Sonata.

Franz Schubert’s Sonata in G major is one of four sonatas originally published under the modest title “sonatinas.” Despite the name, it is a fully developed violin sonata. Schubert’s violin and piano sonatas now hold an established place in the repertoire, admired for their charm and melodic beauty.

The recital concludes with Johannes Brahms’ Third Violin Sonata – shimmering with lyrical warmth but also tinged with restless tension. The final movement unfolds on an almost symphonic scale, rich with expressive drama, rhythmic complexity and passionate melodic intensity.