Afternoon Concert with Marta Gardolińska

From the opening rumble of a timpani, to explosive running passages in the strings, enthrallingly intricate woodwind interjections and punctuating brass blasts, Bacewicz’s Overture is a rousing and triumphant work – which may come as a surprise given that it was written in the midst of World War II as her native Poland was occupied by the Nazis and Bacewicz was fleeing Warsaw.

By contrast Mendelssohn had few worries in life, and this easy lightness is never more present than in his masterful Violin Concerto. Written for his dear friend Ferdinand David, the concerto oozes charm and elegance. To perform this iconic work, we welcome BBC New Generation Artist Johan Dalene alongside the exciting new Polish conductor, Marta Gardolinska.

Tchaikovsky did not have an easy life and the tempestuous emotions that pervade every last note of his Fourth Symphony are an outward expression of his struggles with love, life and happiness. Despite the heavy weight of fate he portrays though, the wonderful moment of capricious arabesques, rich melody and grit protrude, as if little glimmers of hope…