The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performs in the first concert of its 2014-15 concert series at Hull City Hall, conducted by Paris-born Fabien Gabel, who is amongst the most sought-after guest conductors of his generation. Joining them is Spanish pianist Joaqu?n Achucarro, highly regarded both nationally and internationally, who takes centre stage with a performance of Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto. Schumann set Lord Byron's remorseful poem Manfred to music in 1848, writing a ?dramatic poem with music' with an overture and fifteen incidental numbers. It is the memorable Manfred Overture that will open the concert tonight. Rachmaninov's lyrical Piano Concerto No.2 is amongst the most celebrated piano concertos of the Romantic era, with the solo piano's famous opening chords welcomingly breaking the quiet of concert halls around the world - his native Russia closed the Winter Olympics 2014 with a nod to the work's first movement for all to hear. Sibelius' mostly optimistic melodies and enriching harmonies in his Fifth Symphony were contrasting to the world conflict into which it was born - the First World War; its orchestral elatedness closes the concert. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra website.| 16 Oct 14 | Hull City Hall Hull, Humberside Performance Details => Venue archive |
