NSOI: Liu plays Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 2

National Symphony Orchestra Ireland
Diego Matheuz conductor
Sophia Liu piano 

Mel Bonis Trois femmes de légende (Irish Premiere)
Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 2
Prokofiev Symphony No. 5

Praised for his “charismatic presence and rhythmic vitality” (Gramophone), renowned Venezuelan conductor Diego Matheuz, long-time collaborator of Gustavo Dudamel, brings electrifying energy to this compelling programme with National Symphony Orchestra Ireland.

Shostakovich’s Second Piano Concerto, “a gloriously free, wistful creation” (Classical FM), written in 1957 for the composer’s son Maxim, is performed by the young Chinese-Canadian piano prodigy Sophia Liu.

Acclaimed for her “clear, delicate, refined and almost supernaturally fluid” touch (Le Monde) coupled with her “phenomenal virtuosity” (Bachtrack), Sophia Liu is a compelling soloist for this great work.

Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony follows, an expansive, triumphant wartime work, composed in the summer of 1944. It features sweeping melodies, surging rhythms and a radiant finale making it one of the composer’s most powerful symphonies. 

The concert opens with the Irish premiere by French composer Mel Bonis, Trois Femmes de légende, depicting three evocative portraits of legendary heroines: Salome, Ophelia, and Cleopatra.

Presented by NCH