Tel: 01234 269519The Central Box Office
Philharmonia Orchestra
Date: Friday 4th March
Venue: Main Auditorium - 7.30pm
Bedford Borough Council & BCEX presents
Philharmonia Orchestra
Susanna Mälkki conductor
Sayaka Shoji violin
MOZART Overture, The Marriage of Figaro
MOZART Violin Concerto No. 5
SIBELIUS Symphony No. 5
“Thor swinging his hammer” was how Donald Tovey described the theme of the finale of Sibelius’s Fifth Symphony; but in fact an entry in Sibelius’s diary shows that he associated this solemn theme with the flight of swans. Either way this work is full of heroic and confident musical ideas: the work was originally commissioned as a celebration of the composer’s fiftieth birthday when his status as a Finnish national hero was fast becoming cemented. A first half of sparkling melodies showcases Mozart’s genius: the finale of his Violin Concerto No. 5 contains a ‘Turkish’ episode with traditional melodies skilfully interwoven with Mozart’s own, reflecting the musical fashions of its time. Share on Facebook