Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra – John Lill 70th Birthday

Works Performed

Brahms : Academic Festival Overture
Rachmaninov : Piano Concerto No.2
Sibelius : Symphony No.1

Performers

Conductor : Stefan Solyom
Soloist: John Lill (Piano)

With more emphasis on the “festival” than the “academic,” Brahms’ musical thank you to the University of Breslau brims with an irrepressible sense of fun with its inclusion of student beer-hall tunes and humorous musical in-jokes.

Rising out of mysterious depths, Rachmaninov quickly lets loose the first of many striking themes that abound in his Second Piano Concerto. At just 28, in love and about to be married, no wonder he exhibits a youthful confidence in a mature work imbued with a sincere, heartfelt passion that continues to captivate audiences.

Sibelius’ First Symphony is significant in that never before had a work of such stature emerged from Northern Europe, unveiling the previously unheard character of Nordic music, sounding both ‘old’ and ‘new’ at the same time. The mood is dramatic and austere throughout, the tone being set with the extended clarinet solo at the beginning.

VENUE: THE GREAT HALL

WEBSITE: BSOLIVE.COM