Santtu and Frank Dupree in a Jazz Concerto

Programme

At the heart of this colourful programme is a jazz piano concerto by Ukraine-born composer Nikolai Kapustin.

“The astonishing Frank Dupree”, a pianist whose playing “make[s] you smile and shake your head in disbelief” (Gramophone), has made it his mission to bring Kapustin’s music to a wider audience. And it’s well worth discovering. The energy of big band jazz meets virtuosic orchestration and solo piano writing of such freedom and creativity that it feels like improvisation.

Borodin’s Second Symphony is considered by many to be his finest work. Like his opera Prince Igor, it summons up a world of warriors and heroes in powerful music with a nod to Russian folklore.

Two lively Spanish-flavoured pieces complete the evening, a showcase for the dazzling skill and versatility of the Philharmonia musicians and their Principal Conductor Santtu.