Brahms' Symphony No.2

The RPO’s Principal Associate Conductor Alexander Shelley has been called ‘a natural communicator’ – and tonight he has a joyous story to tell. He kicks off with the whirlwind energy and homespun high-spirits of Smetana’s irresistible comedy overture. He finishes with the blazing trumpets and big, sunlit melodies of Brahms’ Second and happiest symphony – it was written while the composer was on his summer holidays, and you can tell! In between, we’re making musical history, with the first UK performance of a new piano concerto written by the Hungarian sonic conjuror Peter Eötvös in homage to György Cziffra, a family friend of the composer who survived communist brutality to become one of the 20th century’s most dazzling pianists. It’s played by János Balázs, who gave the world premiere in Paris, in 2021.

This concert is jointly presented by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Cziffra Festival.

This is an RPO Annual Legacy Giving Concert

Large print versions and digital formats of the programme for this concert are available on request for customers with accessibility requirements. Please email your request to Doran Crowhurst crowhurstd@rpo.co.uk at least one full week before the performance.