Beethoven, Schumann and Dvořák

Dvořák’s radiant Symphony No. 6 is far less frequently performed than his later symphonies (the Philharmonia last played it in 2008), and a rewarding work to get to know. With a nod to Beethoven and Brahms to keep his Viennese audience happy, Dvořák lets his Czech identity shine through in snatches of folk song, and the headlong three-against-two rhythm of the third movement furiant.

Beethoven’s Egmont overture brims over with heroism. It was written for a play by Goethe, who praised Beethoven’s ‘remarkable genius’ in expressing the themes of his drama in music.

It paves the way for Schumann’s Cello Concerto, considered one of the great cello works of the Romantic era. The challenge for the soloist is to make sure this demanding music sounds lyrical and serene – no problem at all for ‘compelling’ (The Strad) cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras.