Vasily Petrenko conductor
Simon Trpceski piano

Shostakovich Festive Overture
Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2
Sibelius Symphony No. 2

Tchaikovsky’s Second Piano Concerto is less well known than his First, possibly owing to its composition taking place during a rather more melancholic period of his life. Its dedicatee, Nikolai Rubinstein, was initially daunted by the work: rather than the piano playing virtuosically in the foreground with the orchestra accompanying, the two parts are in even dialogue, and there is a moment in the second movement with solos for violin and cello that makes the work seem like a piano trio.

Sibelius’s Second Symphony also has moments of intimacy, for example the tender oboe melody accompanied by muted strings in the slow movement; but this leads into a blazing finale and its triumphant conclusion that will end the season with a flourish.

6.15pm Free pre-concert talk
Pianist Simon Trpceski in conversation with John Florance

“Petrenko made a deeply felt, unforgettable impression.” Los Angeles Times