Elgar’s Cello Concerto

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra returns to Aylesbury Waterside Theatre with star cellist Sterling Elliot for an emotionally epic programme of Dvořák, Elgar and Beethoven. ‘I am the new Bacchus, pressing out glorious wine for the human spirit’: Ludwig van
Beethoven never pulled his punches, but until you’ve heard his Seventh Symphony in full flight, you’ve never known just how intoxicating music can be. That’s just the climax to a whole concert that highlights some of these composers’ most well-known works.

Virtuoso cellist Sterling Elliot leads the Orchestra through the wistfulness of Elgar’s Cello Concerto with his ‘impeccable musicianship’. Evoking a sense of introspection, the work’s sombre mood reflects on the closing months of World War I, contrasting sorrowful melodies with moments of hope and resilience. Conductor Kevin John Edusei launches the evening with Dvořák’s joyous Carnival Overture, the second work in his Nature, Life and Love trilogy; a celebration of the composer’s love for his native land and its majestic landscape.

“Sterling Elliott’s interpretation was revelatory. His approach to the slow movement was especially moving, finding new emotional depths without sacrificing technical precision, (showcasing) both his impressive control and his ability to infuse classical standards with contemporary relevance.” - Congress Theatre, 2024