A musical talk from the series “Musical Conversations with Andrey Shevchuk”, titled “Between Tradition and Modernism: Sergei Prokofiev and Dmitri Shostakovich”, took place at the Russian House, marking the 135th anniversary of Sergei Prokofiev and the 120th anniversary of Dmitri Shostakovich.

The evening was dedicated to two titans of 20th-century Russian and Soviet music, whose творчество became a symbol of their era. Maestro Andrey Shevchuk — a symphonic conductor and choirmaster with more than twenty years of international experience — guided the audience through a fascinating world of music where tradition and innovation intertwine.

During the lecture, the audience discovered little-known and striking facts from the composers’ lives, revealing the complexity of their destinies. Special attention was given to how monumental works were created during the most difficult war years, including during the Siege of Leningrad, when music became an act of courage and spiritual resistance.

Excerpts from concerts, feature and documentary films, as well as archival interviews — including rare recordings with the composers themselves — were presented, allowing the audience to feel their era and personalities more deeply.

The lecture unfolded in a single breath, in complete silence and with full attention from the audience. The evening concluded with prolonged applause that would not let the Maestro go.

This musical evening proved to be not only informative but truly inspiring, reminding us of the power of Russian art, capable of resonating even in the most difficult times.