Tonight you will hear the colossal, ripping sounds of Shostakovich's Eighth Symphony. A piece written on blood, fire and steel during the German attack on the Soviet Union in 1943, but at the same time reflecting the small and personal. Depth in dark times, raw and real. With that, an absolutely extraordinary example of how music can take you into history and all the humanity behind it.

Cellist Gary Hoffman, who became the first American to win the prestigious Rostropovich Competition in 1986, is a living legend who has been soloing on all the major stages for over fifty years. He is known for his expressive, virtuosic and poetic playing, which reveals the soul of the music. The wistful yet lush Schelomo is a perfect match for Hoffman's instrumental singing (and sense of flair). A piece of music written by Ernest Bloch in 1916, the cello translates King Schelomo's voice and thoughts into solid, deep tones. The orchestra paints the world around him and the Jewish people speaking back. The evening opens with recent work by Dutch composer Joey Roukens. In Night Flight, listeners are taken on a nocturnal roller coaster ride over a bustling city.

The previously announced cellist Mischa Maisky has had to cancel this concert due to illness. He will be replaced by Gary Hoffman.