Vasily Petrenko          conductor
Esther Yoo                  violin

Tchaikovsky               Fantasy Overture: Romeo and Juliet
Bruch                          Violin Concerto No. 1
Prokofiev                    Symphony No. 5

Vasily Petrenko has made a habit of spine-tingling, sell-out performances in Nottingham and this one will be no exception, as he’s joined by the brilliant American violinist Esther Yoo for a programme that’s high on drama and passion. The youngest winner of the Jean Sibelius Violin Competition and former BBC New Generation Artist has been described as ‘the model of a violin soloist in the modern age’ (The Strad) and her highly expressive playing is tailor-made for Bruch’s ripely Romantic and virtuosic First Violin Concerto.

Two Russian classics from very different worlds complete the programme, beginning with Tchaikovsky’s famous Fantasy Overture, Romeo and Juliet. The soaring lyricism of its central love theme remains one of classical music’s best-loved moments, perfectly capturing the tenderness of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers, set against the fierce rivalry of their families. Although it was premiered in wartime Moscow in 1945, Prokofiev described his 5th Symphony as ‘a hymn to free and happy Man, to his mighty powers, his pure and noble spirit.’ Acclaimed in both Russia and the West at its first performances this taut masterpiece remains his most popular symphony, its edgy high spirits recalling the balletic energy of his own version of Romeo and Juliet.

Free pre-concert talk, 6.20pm in the auditorium: William Ruff introduces Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony.