It is in the Fifth Symphony that you truly encounter the genius of Beethoven through the musical manifestations of his intimate thoughts, his secret sorrows and his intensely concentrated rage. If listened to with fresh ears, it is still possible to be astonished at the force and compressive power of this awesome vision of triumph over tragedy. Chopin’s early-Romantic concerto par excellence is dominated by the piano with the orchestra merely providing a light accompaniment. Brimming with bold and colourful details, Chopin’s delicate touch and dazzling virtuosity shines through. Imaginative and personal, its poetry and virtuosity linger long in the memory. Verdi’s intricate writing and captivating harmonic language makes this quite an overture – the changes in character from solemn to jubilant creating both intrigue and wonder.

Please note this concert is being livestreamed and some shots will include wide angle views of the audience.