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Rouvali conducts Sibelius Symphony No. 5

Cancelled

Santtu-Matias Rouvali

Artists

Santtu-Matias Rouvali – conductor
Nemanja Radulovic – violin

Programme

Kodály Háry János Suite

Khachaturian Violin Concerto

— Interval —

Sibelius Symphony No. 5

Take a musical journey with “the hottest conductor in Finland” (The Times), from earthy soldiers’ tales to the ecstatic heights of Sibelius.

Sibelius’s Fifth Symphony would make it into many listeners’ top ten. It begins with a whisper from horns and timpani, which spreads through the woodwind section in a glorious evocation of sunrise. The second movement is a set of variations on a simple, wistful theme. Then comes the moment Sibelius fans have been waiting for – the magnificent ‘swan’ theme of the finale, with its jubilant horn chords and sweeping strings. Sibelius wrote it after witnessing the awe-inspiring sight of sixteen swans in flight: “One of the great experiences of my life! God, how beautiful,” he wrote in his diary.

Violinist Nemanja Radulovic topped the classical charts with his recording of Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto for Deutsche Grammophon in 2018. He has all the virtuosity required for the folk-infused first movement, the soulfulness for the second movement’s melancholy song, and the flamboyance for the fiery finale.

To open the evening, Santtu-Matias Rouvali introduces us to Háry János, the eponymous protagonist of Kodaly’s folk opera. In the suite Kodaly created from the opera, Hungarian cimbalom, alto saxophone, tubular bells and bass trombone are invoked to add their vivid colours to the tall tales of an old soldier.

Need to know

Prices & Discounts

£12 – £58 (premium)

Subscription discounts available; under-18s and concessions discounts available; £8 tickets for students via Student Pulse one month before the concert (limited availability)

Running Time

2 hours, including 20 minute interval

Recommended age

From 7+

Box office

Philharmonia Box Office: 0800 652 6717

Venue

Royal Festival Hall

Royal Festival Hall

Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road
London
SE1 8XX

View on Google Maps

Before the concert

Watch trailer

Video

Trailer: Santtu conducts Sibelius Symphony No. 5

Listening guide

Video

Listening Guide: Sibelius Symphony No. 5

London season illustration

Part of 2019/20 London Season

Cancelled
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