Shchedrin: Double Concerto "Romantic Offering" for Piano and Cello | Martha Argerich & Mischa Maisky

When composer Rodion Shchedrin wrote a double concerto for cello and piano and large orchestra in 2010 for the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, he broke new ground: No double concerto had previously been written for this combination of solo instruments and orchestra. The work premiered in Lucerne, Switzerland, in February 2011 and was conducted by Neeme Järvi, with Martha Argerich at the piano and Mischa Maisky as cello soloist. The composer himself, then 78 years old, was in the audience alongside his wife, Maya Plisetskaya, one of the most celebrated dancers of the 20th century. Although the subtitle "Romantic Offering" recalls "The Musical Offering" by Bach, the work’s structure is in fact modeled on another icon of classical music: Johannes Brahms' Double Concerto for Violin and Cello, Op. 102. Shchedrin’s three-movement composition engages in a dialogue with Brahms, as well. (00:07) I. Moderato quasi andantino (13:02) II. Allegro ma non troppo (20:05) III. Sostenuto assai "The subtitle "Romantic Offering" is a clear indication of both the orientation and the imagery of the musical material," Shchedrin said at the time of the premiere in an interview with the Russian-language Swiss newspaper Nascha Gazeta. "Above all, the work was written with two extraordinary soloists in mind, Martha Argerich and Mischa Maisky, to whom this double concerto is dedicated. While composing, I tried to highlight their remarkable artistic individuality. The third and final movement serves as a summation of the first two dramatic movements." Rodion Konstantinovich Shchedrin, who died in Munich in August 2025 at the age of 93, was one of the most influential and distinctive figures in Russian and Soviet music. Born into a musical family — his father was a composer and for a time the private secretary of Dmitri Shostakovich — Shchedrin spent decades navigating the space between official acclaim and artistic independence, building an international reputation while maintaining an aura of nonconformity. He served as First Secretary of the Union of Soviet Composers, sat as a deputy in the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, and received numerous state honors. He also regularly traveled to New York, Paris, and Berlin for premieres of his works. Together with his wife, Bolshoi prima ballerina and later choreographer Maya Plisetskaya, the elegant and cosmopolitan Shchedrin brought a touch of glamour to Soviet cultural life. In 1992, the celebrated couple of Soviet culture relocated to Munich — not only to escape the uncertainties of the post-Perestroika period, but also to further the international career of the then 60-year-old composer. His works were performed at major festivals around the world, and he continued to receive important commissions. Yet his later compositions generally fell out of step with contemporary classical music trends. His greatest recognition, however, remained in his homeland, where conductor Valery Gergiev has continued to champion his music with regular performances. Text: Anastassia Boutsko © 2011 Accentus Music Watch more great concerts here:    • CONCERT HALL   in our playlist with famous piano concertos:    • PIANO CONCERTOS   and in our playlist with amazing cello works:    • THE WORLD OF THE CELLO   Subscribe to DW Classical Music:    / dwclassicalmusic   #marthaargerich #pianoconcerto #celloconcerto