On May 18, Villa Vismara Currò hosts a concert-conference celebrating the Russian composer through music, biography, and historical memory
A symphony born in war, performed for remembrance
On Sunday, May 18 at 5:30 p.m., the historical setting of Villa Vismara Currò in Pesaro will host a unique event: a concert-conference marking the 50th anniversary of the death of Dmitrij Šostakovič, a tormented genius and undisputed protagonist of 20th-century music. The WunderKammer Orchestra, in collaboration with Ente Olivieri, Il Giardino di Santa Maria and Libreria Il Catalogo, presents a powerful piece: Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 60 “Leningrad”.
Leningrad, 1941: resisting with music
The Seventh Symphony was composed during the Nazi siege of Leningrad in 1941. Deeply in love with his native city, Šostakovič wrote the first three movements in Leningrad itself, and completed the work in Kuybyshev, a city in the Urals to which the Soviet government had evacuated its artists. This monumental score quickly became a symbol of Soviet resistance and cemented the composer’s international fame. On August 9, 1942, the symphony was performed in a devastated Leningrad by musicians called back from the front, and broadcast via loudspeakers to the outskirts of the city, directed at German troops — a dramatic act of cultural defiance.
Four hands for a legendary symphony
Bringing this extraordinary work to life will be Roberta Pandolfi and Cesare Pezzi, who will perform the first and fourth movements in a four-hand piano arrangement. This intimate version allows the audience to fully appreciate the emotional force of the piece, beyond the full orchestral setting.
Biography, music, and conversation
The performance will be enriched by a conversation between Oreste Bossini, a journalist and host on Rai Radio3, and Paolo Trognoni, author of the monumental biography Šostakovič: la verità nella musica (“Shostakovich: The Truth in Music”). Together, they will guide the audience through the complex figure of a composer often censored by the Soviet regime, yet ultimately rehabilitated after Stalin’s death.
The performers: Pandolfi and Pezzi, Italian excellence
Roberta Pandolfi, a rising Italian pianist trained in some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, has performed across Europe and Asia alongside internationally renowned musicians. Her partner at the piano, Cesare Pezzi, born in Ravenna, has built a brilliant solo and chamber career and is now a professor of piano at the Conservatorio “Jacopo Tomadini” in Udine. Together, they offer an interpretation filled with drama, hope, and resilience.
A living memory through music that speaks out
This tribute in Pesaro is more than a commemoration: it is an act of active remembrance. The music of Šostakovič continues to speak to our consciences, telling the story of human strength in the face of horror, and of art as resistance. An unmissable event for those who believe that culture is a battle to be fought with elegance and passion.
FAQ
Who was Dmitrij Šostakovič?
A Russian composer and one of the most influential figures of the 20th century, known for his dramatic style and conflict with Soviet power.
What is Symphony No. 7 “Leningrad”?
A work composed during the Nazi siege of Leningrad, symbolizing Soviet resistance through music.
Who will perform the concert?
Roberta Pandolfi and Cesare Pezzi, on piano four hands.
Is it just music?
No, it also includes a talk with Oreste Bossini and Paolo Trognoni.
Where and when is the event?
At Villa Vismara Currò in Pesaro, Sunday, May 18, at 5:30 p.m.
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