Programme
Hector Berlioz: Le corsaire, overture Op. 21
Karol Szymanowski: Violin Concerto No. 1 Op. 35
Richard Strauss: Ein Heldenleben, symphonic poem Op. 40
Artists
London Symphony Orchestra
Sir Antonio Pappano – conductor
Lisa Batiashvili – violin
After the very first public performance given by the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) in 1904 the British daily The Times wrote: “The volume of tone was magnificent, and the effect of the performance under Dr Richter was truly memorable.” Since that time this prestigious London symphony orchestra has won millions of fans not only through its concerts but also thanks to the scores for film blockbusters such as Star Wars, Braveheart, Notting Hill and Harry Potter. Under the artistic direction of such maestros as André Previn, Claudio Abbado, Michael Tilson Thomas and Sir Simon Rattle it has earned a prime position among the world’s finest orchestras. The LSO first appeared at the Prague Spring in 1965 with Sir Georg Solti, and most recently in 2005 when, conducted by Sir Colin Davis, they opened the festival with Smetana’s Má vlast. They are now returning to Prague after a twenty-year absence and will perform under their new Chief Conductor Sir Antonio Pappano in a programme combining the music of Hector Berlioz, Karol Szymanowski and Richard Strauss. The evening’s soloist will be stellar violinist Lisa Batiashvili, who plays with a “pure, gorgeous tone and fabulous technique,” as The New York Times described her performance.