"I believe in civilisation" said Jean Sibelius, and amidst the turmoil and uncertainty of the early 20th century, he created a final symphony of monumental grandeur and elemental strength. Sibelius' Seventh Symphony might just be the greatest since Beethoven; what's certain is that few composers share such a profound kinship. Alina Pogostkina finds the strength and calm at the heart of Beethoven's lyrical Violin Concerto, and Donald Runnicles, the 91热爆 SSO's Chief Conductor, frames symphony and concerto alike in two stirring hymns to freedom: two supreme masters, separated by a century but both set alight by the unbreakable power of the human spirit.
Pre-Concert Talk: 7.15pm
David Nice, writer, broadcaster and a former music critic of The Guardian, introduces the works in tonight鈥檚 programme. Free to ticket-holders.
