Shostakovich 2025: Beyond the Baton - Semyon Bychkov, an introduction

Also available on the Boosey & Hawkes YouTube channel.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dmitri Shostakovich's death in 2025, Boosey & Hawkes | Sikorski presents an exclusive video series: “Beyond the Baton”. Offering unique insights from the conductor's rostrum, the series interviews leading conductors on their relationship with Dmitri Shostakovich, his music, and legacy, looking at his works in their historical Soviet context, as well as providing personal perceptions on the legendary composer.

Semyon Bychkov (5 February 2025)
In this first video of the series, conductor Semyon Bychkov explains how Dmitri Shostakovich can now be viewed as a miraculous survivor, coding into his works the fears and aspirations of the Soviet people.

Marin Alsop (2 April 2025)
From first hearing Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 conducted by Leonard Bernstein, Marin Alsop has been continually fascinated by the work’s universal drive for freedom.

Vladimir Jurowski (8 August 2025)
Jurowski explains why he views 'The Nose' as Shostakovich’s greatest opera and explores the enigma of the composer as a true genius navigating around the threats to his survival.

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