As Dvorak laboured over his new Cello Concerto in 1895, a woman he once loved lay dying. The composer couldn't speak fully of his affection, for that woman was his sister-in-law Josefina. Instead Dvorak took the tune of her favourite song and cast it as the yearning second theme of the Concerto's slow movement. When Josefina died months later, he re-wrote the movement's ending - biddingit goodbye with a touching final reference to the song. Such pain Tchaikovsky knew so well. But in the fiery excitement, icicle-clear melodies and fur-wrapped climaxes of his early First Symphony, there was only optimism. London Philharmonic Orchestra website.| 11 Jun 11 | Brighton Dome Brighton, East Sussex Performance Details => Venue archive |
