Kolja Blacher, Sten Heinoja, Laur Keller and Tallinn Chamber Orchestra

Dmitri Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1 is a work in which virtuosity and playfulness are interwoven with unexpectedly lyrical moments and a sense of underlying tension. A distinctive feature of the concerto is the significant role played by the trumpet – unusually, the trumpet here is not merely a part of the orchestra, but a witty and sharp-witted partner to the piano. Taking to the stage as soloists are pianist Sten Heinoja and trumpeter Laur Keller – two exciting and distinctive artists united by a bold joy in making music.

Richard Strauss’s *Metamorphoses* is one of the most moving works for string orchestra of the 20th century. Composed at the end of the Second World War, it reflects the anguish of destruction, the loss of culture and an unrelenting longing for something enduring.

The work ‘Prayers’ by Israeli composer Noam Sheriff adds a contemplative and introspective dimension to the programme. Sheriff’s work often weaves together Western musical traditions, cultural influences from the Middle East and spiritual themes. This is music that seeks peace at a time when the world seems to offer it less and less.