Rachmaninov's Second Symphony

Rich colours and tones radiate from a programme of ravishing Romantic music, with the stage set by Wagner’s ethereal Prelude to Lohengrin.

Korngold’s Violin Concerto is filled with Hollywood sheen, but it is hard to know if he drew from themes of film scores or if they drew from this concerto, so big was Korngold’s influence on the sound of Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s. It is performed tonight, in all its lyrical brilliance, by acclaimed violinist Rosanne Philippens.

Rachmaninov’s Symphony No.2 delves into the throes of self-doubt and anguish before emerging into its exquisitely melodious Adagio, and finally bursting into leaps of creative triumph in the grand finale.

“Philippens and the ensemble bring translucent textures, and deftly organic and colourful handling of the music’s sudden textural, timbral and dynamic contrasts” – Gramophone.