Tribute to a Hungarian Legend

The RPO’s Principal Associate Conductor Alexander Shelley has been called ‘a natural communicator’ – and tonight he has a joyous story to tell. He kicks off with the whirlwind energy and homespun high-spirits of Smetana’s irresistible comedy overture. He finishes with the blazing trumpets and big, sunlit melodies of Brahms’ Second and happiest symphony – it was written while the composer was on his summer holidays, and you can tell! In between, we’re making musical history, with the first UK performance of a new piano concerto written by the Hungarian sonic conjuror Peter Eötvös in homage to György Cziffra, a family friend of the composer who survived communist brutality to become one of the 20th century’s most dazzling pianists. It’s played by János Balázs – who gave the world premiere in Paris, in 2021.