This is the first in a series of four concerts in which Osmo Vänskä will conduct the London Philharmonic Orchestra performing all the symphonies by Sibelius. This first concert will start with the Karelia Suite followed by Benjamin Britten’s violin concerto performed by the Dutch violinist, Simone Lamsma. Sibelius Symphony No 1 concludes the programme. Time and venue: 7.30pm, Royal Festival Hall. Tickets online: www.southbankcentre.co.uk, Box Office 020 7960 4200.
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Esa-Pekka Salonen
Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra in Stravinsky’s Oedipus Rex and the Symphony of Psalms. 7.30pm at the Royal Festival Hall. Box Office 020 7960 4200.
BBC SO 2016/17 season launch
Sakari Oramo launches the 2016/17 season with a concert at the Barbican. The UK premiere of Brett Dean’s Knocking at the Hellgate will be followed by Richard Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben featuring the baritone, Russell Braun. Time 7.30pm. Box Office 0845 120 7511.
Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts Philharmonia Orchestra
This is a programme of works by Stravinsky inspired by Greek Mythology: Orpheus, Apollon musagete, and Persephone. 7.30pm at the Royal Festival Hall, Box office 020 7960 4200 or online (fees apply).
Sakari Oramo conducts BBC Symphony Orchestra
As usual, the last night of the Proms will be televised so will be free to all to watch if you can’t get tickets to attend in person. There will be a wide ranging programme and the involvement of BBC Proms Youth Ensemble, the BBC Singers, the BBC Symphony Chorus in addition to the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Soile Isokoski and Ilkka Paananen
A welcome return to the Wigmore Hall by Soile Isokoski accompanied on the piano by Ilkka Paananen. They will perform songs by Schubert, Mozart, Brahms and Yrjö Kilpinen. The performance starts at 7.30pm. Box Office 020 7935 2141.
Anssi Karttunen at Wigmore Hall
Anssi Karttunen, cello, and Nicholas Hodges, piano, will play Brahms’s Cello Sonata No 1, Sir Harrison Birtwistle’s Borgenstrich, the world premiere of Sam Shepherd’s cello sonata and Beethoven’s cello sonata in D op 102, no 2.
Sakari Oramo conducts BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sakari Oramo will conduct the BBC Symphony Orchestra in a programme of British music including Bax, The Garden of Fand, Brett Dean will play his own Viola Concerto, and there will also be a performance of Elgar’s Symphony No 1.
Visit to Knebworth House
In June the gardens of Knebworth House are usually at their best so it should be a good time to visit this house which has been the home of the Lytton family since 1490. The house was transformed in the Tudor Gothic style for Edward Bulwer-Lytton in the 1840’s and 1850’s and in the last century the interiors were remodelled by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Members who are interested in attending should contact the Honorary Secretary in the usual way.
Spring Dinner at KuPP
There are lots of excuses for a celebration at this time of year, Vappu, Snellmanin päivä, suomalaisuuden päivä, Flooran päivä or what you will. We are planning to have a dinner at a KuPP which is a Scandinavian-inspired restaurant in Paddington. Further details will be circulated to members closer to the date.