William Kentridge – Oh to Believe in Another World

The 10th Symphony by Dmitri Shostakovich holds a significant place in his body of work, as it was composed in 1953 immediately after the death of the dictator Josef Stalin. The sufferings endured by Shostakovich under Stalin’s oppressive rule are reflected in this piece. After completing his 9th Symphony, eight years passed before he composed his next symphony, which was of impressive magnitude. Commissioned by the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, the South African artist William Kentridge created the animated film “Oh to Believe in Another World” to accompany the symphony. This film, made with cardboard sets, provides insights into contemporary events. By combining music and film, it vividly illustrates life under the destructive power of a dictatorship.