Rachmaninov’s achingly romantic Second Symphony, plus Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich from exceptional Russian players
3:00pm, Sunday 14 October 2018
Heart-stopping romance; mischievous wit; and one of the most moving tales in the whole of ballet.
A mighty all-Russian programme from one of Russia’s foremost orchestras kicks off the Usher Hall’s 2018-19 Sunday Classics concerts in spectacular style.
The Moscow-based Russian State Symphony Orchestra has a peerless pedigree in the stirring, deeply expressive music of its homeland, with a rich, noble sound that’s matched by the players’ incisive energy. Under conductor Valentin Uryupin, one of the most exciting young talents emerging from Russia’s fiercely competitive classical world, it’s a force to be reckoned with.
Uryupin and his Orchestra open with the unforgettable melancholy of one of the world’s best-loved ballet scores: Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. They close with the overwhelming opulence of Rachmaninov’s epic Second Symphony, overflowing with outpourings of ecstatic melody, and charting a passionate journey through breathtaking romance to blazing triumph.
In between, they’re joined by the multi-award-winning Belfast-born pianist Barry Douglas, who famously won the prestigious Tchaikovsky Competition back in 1986, and has forged a global career with his remarkable mix of muscular power and exquisite poetry. He’s the soloist in Shostakovich’s sunny, funny Second Piano Concerto, a touching birthday present from the composer to his 19-year-old son, which sandwiches a soulful, dreamy slow movement between two movements of sparkling wit and vivacious energy
Door time:2:00pm
Running times:-
Doors 2pm
Starts 3pm
Interval 3:45pm (20 minutes)
Ends 5:05pm approximately
**Note there are a large number of tickets set for collection for this performance - please allow plenty of time to collect your tickets and take your seats for the start of the performance.
£35 | £29 | £24 | £18 | £13.50
Concessions available
Early Bird Offer: Book 5 or more concerts in the same transaction for the Sunday Classic Season 2018-19 season before 5pm on the 20th August and you will be eligible for £5.00 off top two ticket prices. (Offer subject to availability)
**Please note a £1.50 transaction fee applies on the overall booking when purchasing online or over the phone (non-refundable)**
3:00pm, Sunday 27 January 2019