Here we have three linchpins of Prokofiev’s orchestral art: the charmingly refracted view of the music of Mozart and Haydn that formed his First Symphony; his equally neat and symmetrical Second Violin Concerto, ordered but spiked with distinctively inventive harmonies and tunes that break out on adventures; and finally his central, most astounding symphony, the Fifth. Prokofiev himself described the latter as ‘a symphony of the greatness of the human spirit’. In it he explored new spiritual horizons, creating what one commentator labelled ‘not so much symphony as exciting symphonic drama.’ Yannick Nézet-Séguin harnesses the propulsive energy of Prokofiev in this, the last performance of our festival.
Listen to conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin speak about this programme:
6.00pm - Pre-concert event (Royal Festival Hall) Over 100 young performers present their brand new work inspired by the music of Prokofiev, the culmination of a project between the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Southwark schools and the Southwark Youth Orchestra.
Admission free.
The Prokofiev Composition Project is supported by The Coutts Charitable Trust, The Peter Minet Trust, and the Newcomen Collett Foundation.
Hear it first! Select a link below to listen to selected movements from this concert (Flash Player opens in a new window).
Book any ticketed festival event and get a free download of Prokofiev's Symphony Concerto (soloist Danjulo Ishizaka). The download has been made available with kind support of JTI
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