Music as criticism to authoritarianism

Posted on April 10, 2025 by isajubes in Arts, Music, Sports and Entertainment, Radio Show "Atenea Americana", SHOW ENG // 0 Comments

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I had the pleasure of sitting down again with Urs Leonhardt Steiner, the Swiss-born conductor and founder of the Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, a truly unique and inspiring musical ensemble based in San Francisco. For over 33 years, this orchestra has been more than a performance group — it’s been a community mission.

Urs has a gift for making classical music feel alive and relevant. He talks to the audience during presentations in both English and Spanish, making sure audiences from all backgrounds feel welcome and engaged. At every concert, he shares the stories behind the music, offering context that makes even the most complex works approachable and meaningful.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Golden Gate Symphony is its inclusive structure: about half of the musicians are professionals, and the other half are highly talented non-professionals who bring the same level of passion and excellence. This is by design — the orchestra’s mission has always been to open the world of music to everyone, not just the elite.

And that mission extends to the audience, too. Every concert includes free tickets for Spanish-speaking families and local community members, making world-class music accessible to neighbors who might not otherwise have the opportunity.

Mark your calendars for their upcoming performance: “SHOSTAKOVICH 5: A Soviet Artist’s Reply to Criticism.” This powerful program explores themes of resistance against authoritarianism, with all the music rooted in the Russian repertoire. At the center is Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, a monumental piece widely regarded as the composer’s defiant artistic response to political oppression.

With 93 musicians on stage and a full chorus, this promises to be an unforgettable musical and emotional experience.

Come not just to listen but to reflect. This concert isn’t only about beautiful sound — it’s about courage, history, and the enduring power of the arts to speak truth. Don’t miss the full interview on our radio/podcast to hear more from Maestro Steiner about this unique symphony and the heart behind their mission. Listen to the show to get more details about this event, its story, and the institution behind it.

As usual, thank you for listening to our show “Atenea Americana” as part of my effort at Stanford Hispanic Broadcasting. You can listen to all our shows here or on your favorite podcast apps. You can help to make programs like this possible by leaving your comments, subscribing to our website and podcast channels, following us, sharing links, contributing with your ideas or materials, sharing our social networks, and more. Remember to check our “Contribute” to learn more.