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Shostakovichmania!
There are several concerts taking place this week to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich. Tonight at Roy Thomson Hall, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) led by debuting conductor Stefan Sanderling will perform Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1 followed by Symphony No. 8 as part of the Shostakovich Remembered Festival. The featured performers for the evening are Alexander Toradze on piano and Andrew McCandless on trumpet. If you happen to be between the ages of 15 and 29, you can purchase a ticket for TSO performances (including this evening’s 8pm event) for the meager sum of $12 from the tsoundcheck website. If you are under 15 or over 29, tickets range from moderately expensive to more expensive. Tomorrow evening’s performance will be slightly altered as the TSO will play Shostakovich’s second piano concerto followed by the eighth symphony.
If you haven’t had your fill of Shostakovich by Friday and would like to witness an interdisciplinary performance, go to the Harbourfront Centre Theatre (231 Queens Quay West). On March 24 and 25 at 8pm, the innovative Art of Time Ensemble will play Shostakovich’s 8th String Quartet, Jazz Suite No. 1 and Piano Trio No. 2. The Jazz Suite will be accompanied by dancer/choreographer Andrea Nann and the evening will also feature Ted Dykstra reading snippets of Shostakovich’s diaries and correspondences. Tickets are $35 and $25 for students/seniors/artists at the Harbourfront Centre Box Office (or call 416-973-4000).