Prokofiev, Wagner and Sibelius

Programme

Young Norwegian conductor Tabita Berglund makes her Philharmonia debut, with her former cello teacher Truls Mørk.

The two join forces in one of Prokofiev’s last completed works, the Sinfonia Concertante for cello and orchestra. Widely considered the greatest cello work of the 20th century, it holds formidable challenges for the soloist – and many thrilling moments for the listener – from a huge cadenza to a dazzling ending stratospherically high in the instrument’s range. It’s quite a contrast to what Prokofiev called the “happy and uncomplicated” music of his Mozart-inspired Classical Symphony.

Jean Sibelius was hailed by critics in his lifetime as “the greatest master of the symphony since the death of Beethoven”. He forged a voice that was distinctly Finnish, and just as distinctly his own. His Symphony No. 7 packs tremendous emotional power into its seamless single movement. Wagner’s Prelude to Tristan and Isolde, the musical embodiment of passionate longing, makes a fitting companion piece.