"Art and Music can, by choice, be political. While sometimes intentionally political, Art and Music are always a product of their time, undoubtedly influenced by the events of their time, and a reaction of the arts’ creator. A number of organizations in the past week have changed some of their programming due to recent events. We have chosen to keep our programming in place for the same reasons. Dmitri Shostakovich, one of the many extraordinary musicians and composers who are part of our great tradition, lived under the constant microscope of the Soviet Regime. He was censured, cajoled, and threatened into writing what the leaders of the regime believed embraced the values they held most dear.

"And yet, at great personal peril, Shostakovich found a way not only to create music that seemed to outwit watchful eyes, but also to endure in the ears of listeners across the globe as some of the greatest music ever written. Such is the Fifth Symphony we will now hear performed by the extraordinary artists sitting on this stage. We would like to dedicate this performance to the people of Ukraine who are seeking peace and to all those supporting them as neighbors and supporting the fragile and worthwhile notion of democracy." 🇺🇦

—Steve Brosvik, President and CEO of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera

Performed March 4, 2022
Francesco Lecce-Chong, conductor
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