Shostakovich's First Cello Concerto and Ravel's Valses nobles et sentimentales The first cello concerto by Shostakovich is one of those rare modern works which has gained immediate popularity. First performed in 1959 by Mstislav Rostropovich, the concerto demands virtuoso playing from soloist and orchestra alike. Tonight's soloist, Heinrich Schiff, talks to pianist Howard Shelley about the challenges of this demanding work. Originally written for piano then transcribed for large orchestra, Ravel's suite of eight waltzes is a tribute to Schubert's work of the same name. Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra.