New Beginnings: Nézet-Séguin conducts Brahms and Strauss, Royal Festival Hall

Romantic favourites by Schubert, Brahms and Richard Strauss trace a path through nineteenth-century Vienna, moving from the intimate poise of Brahms’ Second Piano Concerto to the exuberant thrills of Strauss’s Don Juan .There is no better combination than the charismatic conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin with the clarity and finesse of the London Philharmonic Orchestra to bring these works to life; don’t miss out.
Written over 20 years after his Piano Concerto No. 1, Brahms’ Second Piano Concerto is worlds away from the bold gestures of its precedent. Instead, it takes a more intimate approach, privileging warmth without compromising more passionate moments. Melodic lyricism is tinged with melancholy in Schubert’s ‘Unfinished’ Symphony, a two-movement anomaly which is one of the composer’s best-loved works. Inspired by the myth of the amorous libertine, Strauss’s Don Juan begins as a light-hearted romp but gradually disintegrates as the hero falls victim to pessimistic tendencies. However, Strauss’s trademark luxurious orchestration and virtuosic instrumental writing means that this tone poem is a treat on the ears.
Pianist Lars Vogt is renowned for his ability to combine delicacy and lightness with drama and intensity, making him a perfect fit for the wide expressive range of Brahms’s Second Piano Concerto. The London Philharmonic Orchestra are on outstanding form at present: they have gone from strength to strength since their partnership with Nézet-Séguin began in 2008. The conductor is known for his dynamic interpretations which combine excitement with sensitivity. Book now.