BBC Philharmonic - Janáček and Tchaikovsky

John Storgårds conductor
Dame Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano)

Janáček Sinfonietta
Alma Mahler arr. Colin and David Matthews Six Songs
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 in B minor, ‘Pathétique’

Chief Conductor John Storgårds sets the stage for our 2023-24 season with Janáček’s gargantuan Sinfonietta, brimming with brass and bold yet bridled melodies. Its galvanising energy plays foil to the emotional outpourings of Tchaikovsky’s swan song, his Sixth Symphony. Premiered only days before the composer’s death, the Symphony remains an enigma – its only truly agreeable mark, its sheer passion. Separating both of these titanic works, Dame Sarah Connolly joins us for an exploration of some of history’s less well-trodden territory in a collection of Alma Mahler’s orchestrated songs.

*Ahead of the concert, the First Violins of the BBC Philharmonic will be performing in the Foyer Café Bar with Dina Parakhina (piano). This performance is a tribute to celebrate the life of Clare “Clara” Dixon (1966 – 2023) who passed away earlier this year. Find out more about their programme on the BBC Philharmonic’s website.