The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra comes to Cambridge
The London-based orchestra performed four well-chosen pieces at the Corn Exchange on Thursday, November 2.
Conducted by Barry Wordsworth, principal guest conductor of The Royal Ballet and Conductor Laureate of the BBC Concert Orchestra, the orchestra began the proceedings with Ludwig van Beethoven's Coriolan Overture, Op. 62, one of only two orchestral overtures originally intended for concert hall performance - the other is Name Day Celebration.
Searingly dramatic, the piece was the ideal opening for the concert, part of the Cambridge Classical Concert series.
A grand piano was then wheeled out and soloist Janina Fialkowska, a 66-year-old classical pianist from Montreal who currently resides in Germany, took to the stool for Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, an extensive and majestic place played out in three parts: Maestoso, Larghetto and Aalegro vivace.
The composition contained some beautiful melodies and Fialkowska played it brilliantly.
After the interval, the work of renowned English composers Ralph Vaughan Williams (The Wasps Overture) and Edward Elgar (Enigma Variations) was passionately celebrated, rounding off a memorable evening of music.
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