Richard Strauss was so in awe of Mahler's Fourth Symphony - especially the passage towards the end of the radiant slow movement when the gates of Heaven open in a resplendent E major - that in homage he sent him a huge parcel containing his complete published works. Mahler broke with all convention by ending this most heart-warming of all his symphonies with a song of childlike innocence in praise of heavenly life. That same tantilising simplicity informs the magical slow movement of Mozart's K467 Piano Concerto and Britten's early Quatre chansons françaises, composed shortly before his fifteenth birthday.
Click here to view an interactive online version of the 2012/13 season brochure
More concerts with Vladimir Ashkenazy:
Ashkenazy conducts in London
Jun 13 2013, 19:30 - Royal Festival Hall
Ashkenazy conducts James Ehnes in Elgar’s Violin Concerto along with Walton's Symphony No. 1
Ashkenazy conducts in London
Oct 17 2013, 19:30 - Royal Festival Hall
Vladimir Ashkenazy conducts Stravinsky's Four Norwegian Moods before being joined by Patricia Kopatchinskaja for the Violin Concerto. Also performed tonight is Tchaikovsky's Manfred Symphony.










