Tchaikovsky, Bruch and Prokofiev with Vasily Petrenko

Vasily Petrenko is quite simply one of the greatest conductors on the world stage right now. And with packed concerts and rave reviews, the electric partnership between the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and its Music Director has been “transformational” (The Guardian). In this repertoire, Petrenko is peerless: this is a concert not to be missed. Completing a stellar line-up, award-winning American violinist Esther Yoo brings “tones of breath-taking beauty ... full of empathy and innate musicality” (Sunday Times) to Bruch’s much-loved Violin Concerto, as she reunites with orchestra and conductor to reprise their much admired recording.

There’s unadulterated romance too in Tchaikovsky’s fantasy overture on Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers, its magnificent love theme contrasting with the clashing of swords of the warring families. Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo and Juliet is his own best-known work, and the Fifth Symphony is unmistakably from the same pen. Optimistic and heroic, Prokofiev gave the premiere in 1944 as victory was in the grasp of the Allies and it was a huge international success. There’s vivid orchestral colour, long lyrical melodies, tempestuous rhythms and a furious finale that will ring in your ears after the concert’s over.