Yannick Nézet-Séguin conductor Aldo Ciccolini piano
This concert is dedicated to the London Philharmonic Orchestra's founder Sir Thomas Beecham in the 50th anniversary year of his death in 1961.
From its monolithic opening theme – kickstarting a cycle of inexorable momentum like a giant pendulum – to the breathless dash of its finale, Schubert’s Ninth offers one of the most riveting journeys of any symphony. No wonder it attracted the nickname ‘Great’. Even its gently undulating Andante is filled with suspense. If Yannick Nézet-Séguin wants to convey a sense of impassioned drama in this concert, he’s chosen the right piano concerto by Mozart, too: dark, tragic undertones haunt the Concerto No. 20, the piano eventually tearing into a furious finale whose dark storm clouds are only parted by the appearance of a radiant major key.
Listen to conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin talk about this programme:
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CONCERT: R Strauss, Mozart and Rachmaninov Friday 28 October 2011 James Gaffigan conducts R Strauss' Don Juan, Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23 and Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances. More information >
CONCERT: Prokofiev | Prokofiev Festival Wednesday 1 February 2012 Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Prokofiev's Symphony No. 1, Violin Concerto No. 2 and Symphony No. 5. More information >
CD: Rachmaninov's The Isle of the Dead and Symphonic Dances / Jurowski £9.99 Vladimir Jurowski conducts Rachmaninov's The Isle of the Dead and Symphonic Dances on the Orchestra's own recording label. More information >
