He may have been overshadowed by Wagner, but without Weber the history of opera would be very different. Weber’s Der Freischütz, with its atmospheric Overture, is considered the first important German Romantic opera – and had a huge impact on Wagner himself.
Brahms and Wagner were rivals, splitting the musical world with their different approaches to composition, yet few can now resist the sunny charm of the Violin Concerto by Brahms. With its lyrical opening movement, exquisite, singing Adagio and vigorous finale, the Concerto is an ideal showcase for the talents of Chloë Hanslip.
Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony is one of his most joyous, full of Bohemian folk-tunes and orchestral colour.
An all-British programme, including Walton's Cello Concerto performed by Laura van der Heijden, BBC Young Musician 2012, and Elgar's 'Enigma' Variations.
Enrique Bátiz conducts Sibelius' Violin Concerto, with soloist Jack Liebeck, and Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony, preceded by Wagner's Overture to The Flying Dutchman.
Smetana's Bartered Bride Overture and Dvořák's Symphony No.7 frame Chopin's First Piano Concerto with soloist Leon McCawley, under the baton of Czech conductor Libor Pešek.
A concert of music by one of Britain's most dynamic composers, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, including his Sixth Symphony, Violin Concerto No.1, and the irrepressible Orkney Wedding.
A heady mix of new music and established classics, including the London premiere of Tarik O'Regan's Heart of Darkness Suite and Sibelius' Symphony No.2.
A sumptuous array of film and theatre music by Leonard Bernstein, including songs from West Side Story, Candide, On The Town, Wonderful Town and Trouble in Tahiti, alongside orchestral gems.
