Beethoven dedicated Symphony No 1 to Baron Gottfried van Swieten, his earlier patron. Written in C major, it is clearly indebted to the Classical era and to Beethoven's teacher Joseph Haydn as well as Mozart, but nonetheless Beethoven decorates it with his own personal characteristics, making it his own interpretation of the Classical Symphony.
Grieg's Piano Concerto is one of his most popular works and among the most popular piano concerti. It provides evidence of Grieg's interest in Norwegian folk music, as the theme of the third movement is influenced by Norwegian Halling Dance. The concerto has been used in popular culture, in television shows such as Morecambe and Wise's 1971 Christmas Special. Who better to perform Grieg's only piano concerto than Norwegian-born Christian Ihle Hadland.
The Finnish government commissioned Sibelius to write Symphony No 5 in honour of his fiftieth birthday. The work was premiered by Sibelius himself on his birthday: 9 December 1915. The symphony was inspired by swans in flight, especially evident in the finale. Symphony No 5 is a stunning example of Sibelius' ability to build a symphonic movement on the dynamic development of a single idea.
This concert will be recorded for future broadcast on Â鶹ÊÓƵAV Radio 3
Pre-concert talk 6:45pm
Dan Holden discusses this evening's works.
Entry is free to ticket-holders for the concert but space is limited so please arrive early to avoid disappointment.