Ligeti’s Concert Românesc adapts the sounds of Romanian folk music from his childhood to the symphonic and opens with an evocation of the iconic alphorn, which could be heard among the Carpathian mountains.

Pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason continues her RPO artistic residency with Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 – a piece filled with ingenious melodic invention and weaving of its many varied themes, inspired by the composer’s travels.

Written under the long shadow of Beethoven and conducted tonight by Roderick Cox, Brahms’ First Symphony showed that he was a master of the form. With drama and dynamism conjured out of all sections of the orchestra, it leads to a triumphant finale that stamps a resounding seal of the composer’s symphonic prowess.

‘…[Rodrick Cox’s] gestures, even when dramatic, were efficient and tightly controlled, with riveting intensity and focus as a result.’ (Seen and Heard International)

‘[Isata] played beautifully… calmly commanding throughout, she was also unfailingly subtle’ (The New York Times)