Yannick Nézet-Séguin conductor
Aldo Ciccolini piano

Mendelssohn Symphony 4 (Italian)
Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 2
Dvořák Symphony 7

Whilst music is often profound, historic, epoch-making and partisan, some works become favourites simply for their unadulterated beauty and warmth. Such a piece is Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto. It may be many things to many people, but its effect was captured in one now-immortal description. ‘Every time I hear it, I go to pieces’says Marilyn Monroe’s character in The Seven Year Itch. It shakes me, it quakes me. It makes me feel goosepimply all over. I don't know where I am or who I am or what I'm doing. Don't stop. Don't ever stop!’

Opening the concert, Mendelssohn’s Symphony 4 (Italian) reflects the composer’s impressions of his journeys in Italy as well as his own prodigious, if fragile, energy and vitality.

The emotional depths that Dvořák explored in his Symphony 7 generated some of his most passionate music, where tension, melancholy and doubt are eventually relieved by a brave finale.

Were you there? Click on the links below to read a review of this concert.
www.classicalsource.com by Colin Anderson / May 2009
www.thisislondon.co.uk Evening Standard by Barry Millington / May 2009
www.musicomh.com by Keith McDonnell / May 2009

To listen to extracts from some of these pieces select a track below to open the music file. (Windows Media Player required.)

Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A major, "Italian" - I. Allegro vivace
Dvořák: Symphony No. 7 in D minor - I. Allegro maestoso
Dvořák: Symphony No. 7 in D minor - II. Poco adagio
Dvořák: Symphony No. 7 in D minor - III. Scherzo: Vivace
Dvořák: Symphony No. 7 in D minor - IV. Finale: Allegro]

FREE | 6.00pm-6.45pm Royal Festival Hall
Foyle Future Firsts Pre-Concert Showcase
Scott Stroman conductor
Benjamin Fanfare for Aquarius
Webern Variations for Orchestra Op.30
Arnold Brass Quintet No 1
Stravinsky The Soldier's Tale Suite


Encore: Pianist Aldo Ciccolini played Schubert's Kupelwieser Waltz as an encore.