Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre
Pieter Wispelwey with Piers Lane – Night I
A trilogy through time.
Pieter Wispelwey and Piers Lane excavate hidden codes embedded within Soviet-era masterworks, framed by Benjamin Britten's First Cello Suite.
Wispelwey, celebrated for his fearless interpretations, reveals how Britten's seemingly straightforward variations contain their own quiet revolutions.
From the rebellious wit and restrained elegance of Sergei Prokofiev's Cello Sonata, composed during Stalin's oppressive final years, through to the emotional vulnerability of Dmitri Shostakovich's Sonata for cello, these charged Russian voices bookend Britten's Suite No.1.
Through masterful musical storytelling, Night I reveals how music's deepest truths emerge when expression meets resistance. In Wispelwey's interpretations, Elisabeth Murdoch Hall transforms into a sanctuary where socio-political pressures dissolve and the essential human voice remains.
Duration: 1 hour 50 mins (incl. interval). Please note, running times are approximate and subject to change.
This concert is on sale now as part of our Heritage to Horizon 2026 Season.
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Single Tickets (on sale Monday 6 October)
Premium $139
A Reserve $119 ($99 Concession)
B Reserve $99 ($79 Concession)
C Reserve $79
Under 40s
B & C Reserve $49
A Transaction Fee between $4 and $8.50 applies to orders made online and by phone. Delivery Fees may also apply. A ticket limit of six is in place online to ensure fair ticket access for all. Want to bring a bigger party? Call our Box Office during business hours on (03) 9699 3333 to book.
Artists
Pieter Wispelwey cello
Piers Lane piano
Program: Night I
Sergei Prokofiev
Cello Sonata in C, Op.119
Dmitri Shostakovich
Cello Sonata in D minor, Op.40
Benjamin Britten
Cello Suite No.1, Op.72
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