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Sunday 23rd October 2011, 7.30pm

Shostakovich Festive Overture

Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No.2

Prokofiev Symphony No.5

Kirill KarabitsConductor

Barry Douglas Piano

This programme of Russian masterpieces begins with the irrepressible

energy and sparkling orchestration of Shostakovich’s Festive Overture.

Written in just three days, this showpiece dazzles with its glorious fanfares

and quick-fire melodies hurtling across the orchestra.

Perhaps the best-loved piano concerto of all time, Rachmaninov’s Second

Piano Concerto is an irresistible mixture of exquisite melodies and

yearning passion.

Prokofiev left a gap of fourteen years between his Fourth and Fifth

Symphonies. Symphony No.5 was written during the tumult of

World War II as ‘a hymn to free and happy Man, to his mighty powers,

his pure and noble spirit’. Prokofiev explained that this theme was not a

conscious choice but ‘was born in me and clamoured for expression.

The music matured within me. It filled my soul’.

Tuesday 8th November 2011, 7.30pm

Berlioz Le Corsaire Overture

Barber Violin Concerto

Tchaikovsky Symphony No.5

Charles Dutoit Conductor

James EhnesViolin

A programme of works covering the full spectrum of human emotion,

beginning with Berlioz’s romantic, mercurial Overture, eventually

named Le Corsaire after Byron’s semi-autobiographical poem.

Barber’s Violin Concerto has become one of the most popular

twentieth-century works in the genre, ranging from fiery drama to

lyrical introspection, while Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony is amongst

his most optimistic works: the motif which appears in every

movement begins in serious mood, but ends with triumph in the

rousing finale.

Welcome to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2011-2012

series of concerts at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall

featuring a stellar line up of co

nductors, accompanied by classic

al music’s

crème de la crème of soloists.

Irrepressible energy and sparkling orchestrations combine for a thrilling start to the season as

Kirill Karabits conducts Prokofiev’s mighty Symphony No.5. The Russian theme continues as

Pinchas Zukerman returns to the Royal Festival Hall to conduct Shostakovich’s Symphony No.10

in a concert which consists of two contrasting halves, also featuring Mozart’s Violin Concerto No.5.

Maestros Charles Dutoit and Daniele Gatti conduct concerts covering a full spectrum of emotion,

from Strauss’ heroic Ein Heldenleben to Beethoven’s dramatic ‘Pastoral’ Symphony. Nigel Kennedy also

makes a welcome return as he enlightens us with his virtuosic touch with Brahms’ Violin Concerto.

The Orchestra looks forward to seeing you soon at these concerts.

Tuesday 7th February 2012, 7.30pm

Beethoven Egmont Overture

Mozart Piano Concerto No.23

Beethoven Symphony No.6, ‘Pastoral’

Daniele GattiConductor

Jasminka StanculPiano

The majestic Egmont Overture so vividly conjured up the noble spirit of the

play’s hero that Goethe himself praised the composer’s ‘remarkable genius’.

This skill for dramatic writing is also found in the ‘Storm’ movement of

Beethoven’s ‘Pastoral’ Symphony, surrounded by music of sunny grace and

rustic charm. At the heart of this programme is Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.23,

its deeply moving Adagio framed by outer movements of breezy elegance.

Friday 30th March 2012, 7.30pm

Beethoven Violin Concerto

Strauss Ein Heldenleben

Charles Dutoit Conductor

Julia FischerViolin

Now established as one of the major works in the repertoire, Beethoven’s

brilliant Violin Concerto is bursting with vigorous melodies and elegant

exchanges between the soloist and orchestra. Richard Strauss takes us on

an epic journey in ‘A Hero’s Life’, which sparked controversy when it was

suggested that the work was autobiographical – that Strauss was portraying

himself as the ‘hero’! Whether or not this was the case, Strauss paints a vivid

picture of love, conflict and peace in this ravishing orchestral tour de force.

Wednesday 23rd May 2012, 7.30pm

Mozart The Marriage of Figaro Overture

Mozart Violin Concerto No.5, ‘Turkish’

Shostakovich Symphony No.10

Pinchas Zukerman Conductor / Violin

A programme of fascinating contrasts, juxtaposing the sunny temperament

of Mozart with Shostakovich’s haunting Symphony No.10. In his Overture to

The Marriage of Figaro, Mozart sends flurries of notes bustling across the

orchestra, sparkling with a melodic brilliance that cannot fail to delight.

The Violin Concerto No.5 reveals other facets of Mozart’s character:

graceful delicacy, and an exquisitely wistful slow movement.

Written after Stalin’s death, Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony veers from

brooding contemplation to the scurrying second movement – when, as in

Mozart’s Overture, notes fly across the orchestra at breakneck speed.

Tuesday 12th June 2012, 7.30pm

Brahms Academic Festival Overture

Elgar ‘Enigma’ Variations

Brahms Violin Concerto

Andrew Litton Conductor

Nigel KennedyViolin

Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture, despite having a rather studious

ring to its title, is in fact one of his liveliest works, based on a series

of student drinking songs and written to balance the more sombre style

of his Tragic Overture.

Brahms’ Violin Concerto, performed by Nigel Kennedy, moves from a

noble opening movement to the gorgeous Adagio, followed by an

energetic finale.

Sandwiched between these works is one of Elgar’s best-loved creations,

his glorious ‘Enigma’ Variations, with their mysterious ‘hidden theme’.

The variations sparkle with Elgar’s finest melodic invention and

orchestral flair, reaching great emotional depth in the profound

nobility of the Nimrod variation.

Notes by Joanna WyldAll details correct at time of going to press

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'Charles Dutoit's ... tenure as principal conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has begun to bear fruit, judging by an evening of Russian music that... raised the orchestral temperature to boiling point.' The Guardian

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