Classical Conversations: Discover Freedom

Professor and Musician Dr. Eric McIntyre dives deep into the historical and cultural context behind the music you'll hear at Discover Freedom, presented by the Des Moines Symphony. Grammy-nominated pianist Joyce Yang returns to Des Moines in a brilliant showcase of Grieg’s famous and distinctly Norwegian Piano Concerto. The program begins with Glinka’s heroic and exuberant Ruslan & Lyudmila Overture, followed by Florence Price’s heartfelt Andante moderato. Shostakovich’s tragicomic Symphony No. 9, a cynical critique of the political and artistic oppression he experienced in Stalinist Soviet Russia, closes the concert. Intro/outro music: Moonrise by Steve Heitzeg Performed by The Des Moines Symphony