Conductor Russell Keable leads Kensington Symphony Orchestra in Dvořák’s lyrical Symphony No. 8. Writing the work at his summer residence in Bohemia, the composer aimed for a marked contrast from his stormy previous symphony, drawing inspiration from the folk music he loved.

The orchestra is joined by soloist Joseph Spooner for Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 2, which marked the beginning of the composer’s late style. Written in Crimea, the work includes a theme based on an Odessa street song.

Spooner, who performs internationally as a soloist and chamber musician, has received widespread praise for his recordings, with his playing described as ‘ravishing’ and ‘superb’ by Gramophone and The Strad.

In Grażyna Bacewicz’s Overture for Orchestra, brass fanfares convey the sound of war, but the Polish composer included a message of hope, with timpani beating out the Morse code for ‘V’, symbolising victory.