Rhythm to Revolution
Pascal Rogé, piano
Friday, April 10, 2026
Saturday, April 11, 2026
7:30 PM at Maryland Hall
Gabriela Ortiz Antrópolis
Maurice Ravel Piano Concerto in G major, Pascal Rogé, piano
Dmitri Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47
MUSIC PROGRAM
A program of rhythm, color, and contrast, this concert brings together the energy of jazz-infused Ravel, the striking modernity of Gabriela Ortiz, and the raw power of Shostakovich.
Inspired by the dynamic cultural life of Mexico City, Grammy award-winning composer Gabriela Ortiz’ Antrópolis is a thrilling contemporary piece that showcases the percussion section, with ASO Principal Timpanist Curt Armbruster taking a featured role.
A hypnotic waltz that incorporates elements of American blues and jazz, Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major reflects his mastery as an orchestrator and his ability to create beautiful and colorful harmonies. A French pianist renowned for his interpretations of French repertoire, Pascal Rogé brings color, poetry, and brilliant technique to the stage as the featured guest soloist.
The concert closes with Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, a work of gripping intensity and symphonic power. Written at a time of political turmoil, the symphony moves from brooding introspection to a stirring, triumphant finale—one that has sparked debate over whether it expresses defiant resilience or state-mandated celebration. Either way, its sheer force and complexity make it one of the most compelling symphonies of the 20th century and an unforgettable way to end the ASO’s 64th season.
Pascal Rogé photo credit: Van Weyenbergh
TICKETING
Please call our Box Office to learn about student, military, law enforcement and first responder discounts that may be applied to this performance at both Maryland Hall and Strathmore: 410-263-0907.
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Build Your Own season and enjoy total flexibility with our FlexPass Subscription. Choose between 3 or 4 Signature Series concerts on either Friday or Saturday evenings!
Where Have I Heard This Before?
While touring the US in 1928, Ravel was impressed by jazz, Negro spirituals, and the excellence of American orchestras. He then incorporated elements of jazz and Basque folk music into the orchestration of this piece. Ravel toyed with the idea of calling it”Zaspiak-Bat” (The Seven Are One), a single movement work with seven episodes, each using a theme from one of the seven Basque provinces. He wrote the composition in the spirit of Mozart and Saint-Saëns, chiefly to entertain rather than to be profound.
Listen to It: Maurice Ravel, Piano Concerto in G major, performed by The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra with Martha Argerich, piano, Yuri Temirkanov, conductor. Click here to listen.
Did You Know?
The premiere of Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47 in Leningrad in 1937 was a major success that received an ovation lasting well over half an hour. Interestingly, it was received in the Soviet Union in two markedly different ways. Soviet party music critics said it revealed “the formation of a Soviet personality.” In the first movement, the composer-hero suffers a psychological crisis giving rise to a burst of energy. The second movement provides respite. In the third movement, the ultimate Soviet comes to life. Meanwhile, the public heard it as an expression of their suffering during the rule of Stalin. Boris Asafyev wrote, “This unsettled, sensitive, evocative music which inspires such gigantic conflict comes across as a true account of the problems facing modern man—not one individual or several, but mankind.”
Listen to It: Dmitri Shostakovich, Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47, performed by the Frankfurt Radio Symphony, David Afkham – conductor. Click here to listen.
THANK YOU!
This performance is made possible in part with the support of the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC.org) and Arts Council of Anne Arundel County (ACAAC.org).