Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Programme
Smetana The Bartered Bride: Overture
Péter Eötvös Cziffra Psodia (UK premiere)
Brahms Symphony No. 2
Performers
Alexander Shelley conductor
János Balázs piano
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
The RPO’s Principal Associate Conductor Alexander Shelley has been called ‘a natural communicator’ – and tonight he has a joyous story to tell.
He kicks off with the whirlwind energy and homespun high-spirits of Smetana’s irresistible comedy overture. He finishes with the blazing trumpets and big, sunlit melodies of Brahms’ second and happiest symphony – it was written while the composer was on his summer holidays, and you can tell!
In between, we’re making musical history, with the first UK performance of a new piano concerto written by the Hungarian sonic conjuror Peter Eötvös in homage to György Cziffra, a family friend of the composer who survived communist brutality to become one of the 20th century’s most dazzling pianists. It’s played by János Balázs – who gave the world premiere in Paris in 2021.
This concert is jointly presented by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Cziffra Festival.
Duration: to be confirmed – we will update this page as soon as we have running times. Please do not call the Box Office as they do not have any further information than that currently on our website. Most events last 2 – 2½ hours, evening events generally finishing no later than 10pm Monday to Saturday and 9pm on Sundays.
Ticket Information
Tickets from £18 (prices subject to change)
All orders are subject to a transaction fee, except if made in person. See booking information for details, payment methods and delivery options.
Check out the view from your chosen seat on our interactive seating plan.
Series Discount
Book 2 or 3 concerts, save 15%
Book 4 or 5 concerts, save 25%
Book 6 or more concerts, save 30%
Group Discount
Groups of 6+ save up to 35% – see the rpo.co.uk/groups for details
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Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 2024-25 season
Join the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at its resident home, Cadogan Hall, for its new season: 15 concerts filled with favourite melodies, contemporary classics, new discoveries and sonic surprises. Series and group discounts available.
Read more about this series
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
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Thursday 28 November 2024, 19:30
The RPO’s Principal Associate Conductor Alexander Shelley has been called ‘a natural communicator’ – and tonight he has a joyous story to tell. He kicks off with the whirlwind energy and homespun high-spirits of Smetana’s irresistible comed...
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Elgar’s Enigma Variations
Wednesday 16 April 2025, 19:30
Elgar’s Enigma Variations began as a parlour game – a series of musical portraits of the composer’s nearest and dearest. It grew into the warmest, tenderest and most stirring masterpiece in all of British music: who isn’t moved by the profoun...
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Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony
Thursday 1 May 2025, 19:30
‘I am the new Bacchus, pressing out glorious wine for the human spirit,’ declared Ludwig van Beethoven. True, he wasn’t known for his modesty – but until you’ve heard his incredible Seventh Symphony in full, heart-pounding flight, you’ve...
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Thursday 29 May 2025, 19:30
Don’t be misled by the title: for Tchaikovsky, ‘Pathétique’ meant ‘full of emotion’ and when he composed his autobiographical final symphony… well, let’s just say that he didn’t hold back. Soaring romance, desperate tragedy and brill...
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Prokofiev & Borodin
Wednesday 11 June 2025, 19:30
The wind rises, and waves smash against the North Sea coast of England. The earth shakes, as the very ground beneath our feet threatens to give way. And, in 19th-century Russia, a chemist with a gift for music, dreams of ancient times and exotic trib...
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