Sponsors
Concert: Sibelius, Bruch, Rachmaninov,
Saturday 5th December
2009, 7.30pm
St Andrew's Hall
SIBELIUS Swan of Tuonela
BRUCH Violin Concerto
RACHMANINOV Symphony No.2
with Helen Burslem, violin, conducted by Peter Britton
Bruch's much-loved Violin Concerto No.1 and Rachmaninov's monumental Second Symphony combine in a powerful orchestral tour de force. Bruch wrote three Violin Concertos during his lifetime, but it was the first, written in 1866 while he was working as a teacher in Koblenz, that cemented his reputation as a master of German Romanticism. Packed with wonderful tunes and luscious orchestration, it has secured a well-earned place in the hearts of all music-lovers. Rachmaninov completed his Second Symphony during his time as conductor of the Imperial Opera at the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, and conducted the premiere himself in St Petersburg on 8 February 1908. The work was a huge success, earning Rachmaninov the Glinka Award and widespread acclaim. An evening of orchestral masterpieces to savour.