Chapman Orchestra program includes rarely performed Shostakovich piano concerto

Chapman Orchestra’s upcoming fall concert will feature a rare opportunity to hear Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1 for Strings and Trumpet. The orchestra will be under the direction of Daniel Alfred Wachs, associate professor and director of orchestral activities, with guest faculty pianist Louise Thomas, D.M.A., associate professor and director of  keyboard collaborative arts. The performance of “Gods & Monsters” is Friday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m. in the Fish Interfaith Center.

“It’s a bit of a rarity to get to do it,” says Wachs. The orchestration includes only strings and a trumpet solo, in addition to the pianist, so professional orchestras often avoid it because it uses just a fraction of their musicians.

With the inclusion of the Shostakovich piece, the concert also serves as a warm-up to the yearlong study and celebration of the composer planned by the
Pacific Symphony
as part of its Music Unwound Series and which will include participation by Chapman University through its Global Art Festival planned in 2014. Plans include symposiums and exhibitions exploring the composer’s complicated life under Stalin’s regime.

Also on the program for the Nov. 15 concert is Stravinsky’s
Apollon musagete
, and Brahms’
Serenade No. 1 in D Op. 11
, each chosen to complement the “Gods & Monsters” theme, Wachs said. “Gods” references Stravinsky’s piece, and “Monsters” reflects Brahms’ alienating personality, which was in such contrast to his music, and Shostakovich’s life under Stalin.

To purchase tickets, visit the College of Performing Arts
ticketing website
.