91Èȱ¬

The Aurora Orchestra returns to the Proms for Stravinsky’s colourful The Firebird suite – performed from memory – joined by Pavel Kolesnikov for Rachmaninov’s popular Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London
Presented by Tom Service

Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

8.25: Tom Service and Nicholas Collon introduce Stravinsky’s ‘The Firebird’ suite

8.45: The Firebird Suite (1945)

Pavel Kolesnikov, piano
Tom Service, presenter
Aurora Orchestra
Nicholas Collon, conductor/presenter

Nicholas Collon and the Aurora Orchestra’s from-memory performances have become a thrilling recent fixture of the Proms. Now, following symphonies by Beethoven, Brahms, Shostakovich and Berlioz, they tackle their most audacious challenge yet: a complete performance of the colourful 1945 suite from Stravinsky’s ballet The Firebird. Russian fairy tales and folk melodies collide with Stravinsky’s bold musical modernism to create a memorable score. Radio 3 presenter Tom Service introduces the work from the stage, exploring its textures and themes and dismantling its intricate musical narrative with the help of Collon and his musicians. The concert opens with another Russian classic: Rachmaninov’s virtuosic Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, with former 91Èȱ¬ Radio 3 New Generation Artist Pavel Kolesnikov as soloist.