Bartók’s Second Concerto (1931) sets the piano head-to-head against wind and percussion; it uses no strings at all in the first movement, though they steal into the work to atmospheric effect. With its dance-like rhythms, this is a work of dark, anguished dynamism. Bruckner began work on his immense Fifth Symphony in 1875. Its intricate architecture preoccupied him for many years, but he never heard it performed, as he was ill at the time of its 1894 premiere. London Symphony Orchestra - Part of the LSO's UNS Soundscape: Lang Lang Series website.| 20 Apr 09 | Barbican Centre West End, Greater London Performance Details => Venue archive |
