LSO: Antonio Pappano and Vilde Frang

Norwegian violin virtuoso Vilde Frang joins Sir Antonio Pappano and the London Symphony Orchestra to perform the thrillingly cinematic and sweepingly romantic Violin Concerto by Korngold, which premiered to ecstatic audiences in the hands of Jascha Heifetz in 1947. By the time Korngold had begun his 1945 Violin Concerto, the Austrian composer had scored the soundtracks for fifteen Hollywood films. You’ll hear that cinematic sheen in his wonderful concerto, from its sweeping opening to the helter-skelter hoe-down of the finale. In his Fifth Symphony, Shostakovich proved his music could achieve mass appeal, as Stalin demanded. But beneath its brilliant tunes lies a darker, more sardonic work … The concert begins with Imogen Holst’s, the daughter of Gustav (The Planets), Persephone, a beautifully orchestrated depiction of the mythical character, with hints of Debussy and Ravel in the music. PROGRAM Imogen Holst: Persephone; Korngold: Violin Concerto; Shostakovich: Symphony No 5

Sacre du printemps/Symphonies for Winds

The rhythmic complexities of the Sacre are notorious but, in the hands of a master of modern music and one of the world’s top orchestras, the London Symphony Orchestra, the elemental barbarism of the music is thrilling. Boulez’s definitive reading of Stravinsky’s masterpiece was recorded live from the Alte Oper Frankfurt, in a performance specially staged for the cameras. The programme includes a short interview with the conductor about this landmark work (available in English, French and German), as well as a performance of Stravinsky’s Symphonies of Wind Instruments.

Symphony of Psalms

Jiri Kylián’s ballet, set to Igor Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms, captures the archaic power of the music. The restrained gestures of a group of dancers contrast with the forceful and passionate movements of individuals and pairs who are set apart from them. The setting, designed by William Katz, enhances the suggestion of a ritual dance. This performance was recorded in studio.

Piano Concerto in G Major

This live recording, from London’s Royal Festival Hall, of a performance of Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G features two legendary artists – pianist Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (1920-95) and conductor Sergiu Celibidache (1912-96). They perform with the London Symphony Orchestra. An introduction to the programme includes an interview with Celibidache about Michelangeli’s flawless, yet seemingly effortless, technique.

Bernstein, Serenade (after Plato’s “Symposium”)

Bernstein’s Serenade was recorded live with the London Symphony Orchestra during the Leonard Bernstein Festival which took place at London’s Barbican Centre in May 1986. In the presence of Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, Leonard Bernstein conducted a gala concert on 6 May with three of his most important works: the “Chichester Psalms”, the Serenade for Violin and Orchestra, and the Second Symphony, entitled “The Age of Anxiety”. The soloists in these concerts were Gidon Kremer (violin), Krystian Zimerman (piano) and Aled Jones (voice).

Bernstein, Symphony No.2 “The Age of Anxiety”

Bernstein’s Symphony No. 2 was recorded live with the London Symphony Orchestra during the Leonard Bernstein Festival which took place at London’s Barbican Centre in May 1986. In the presence of Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, Leonard Bernstein conducted a gala concert on 6 May with three of his most important works: the Chichester Psalms, the Serenade for Violin and Orchestra, and the Second Symphony, entitled “The Age of Anxiety”. The soloists in these concerts were Gidon Kremer (violin), Krystian Zimerman (piano) and Aled Jones (voice).

Saint-Saëns, Piano Concerto No.2 in G minor, op.22

At 88, Arthur Rubinstein showed no trace of losing that quality of “joie de vivre” that had so fascinated audiences for almost three quarters of a century. The true Rubinstein sound, full and sonorous at every pitch, was always one of the distinctive marks of his playing ever since he began appearing in public. Rubinstein’s performance of Saint-Saëns’s Piano Concerto No. 2, accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra under André Previn, is a perfect testimony of his notion of a “singing tone”. With playing that is by turns vital and poetic, extrovert and reflective, rhapsodic and poised, this performance, filmed in April 1975 at Croydon’s Fairfield Hall, is Rubinstein at his warm-hearted, lyrical best. Incidentally, Rubinstein made his New York debut with the Saint-Saëns Concerto at Carnegie Hall on 8 January 1906.

Grieg, Piano Concerto in A minor, op.16

At 88, Artur Rubinstein showed no trace of losing that quality of “joie de vivre” that had so fascinated audiences for almost three quarters of a century. The true Rubinstein sound, full and sonorous at every pitch, was always one of the distinctive marks of his playing ever since he began appearing in public. Rubinstein’s performance of Grieg’s ever-popular piano concerto, accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra under André Previn, is a perfect testimony of his notion of a “singing tone”. With playing that is by turns vital and poetic, extrovert and reflective, rhapsodic and poised, this performance, filmed in April 1975 at London’s Fairfield Hall, is Rubinstein at his warm-hearted, lyrical best.