Rising star of the podium Ben Gernon conducts the orchestra in Beethoven’s remarkable ‘Eroica’ Symphony. A landmark in the history of music, this astonishing work initially baffled Beethoven’s contemporaries but was soon being hailed as a masterpiece, a token of the composer’s heroism in the face of adversity, and particularly his increasing deafness.
The orchestra’s exceptional Principal French horn Alberto Menendez is soloist in Mozart’s Fourth Horn Concerto. Its delightful bravura finale (and yes, you know it!) is one of the most famous ever written.
The evening begins with Tchaikovsky’s great interpretation of Romeo and Juliet. He claimed Shakespeare’s play perfectly suited his musical nature: “No kings, no marches … Just love, love, love!”.