Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra

Programme:
Bacewicz Scherzo
Lutos?awski Little Suite
Chopin Piano Concerto No. 2
Beethoven Symphony No. 7

The progressive 20th-century Polish Composer Witold Lutos?awski was admired for his avant-garde works but he was also capable of creating immediately appealing music. His Little Suite of 1950, with its infectious energy and folk-inspired themes, has since become a popular concert opener. A century earlier, Lutos?awski’s compatriot Chopin was considered a radical in his own Romantic fashion and his youthful Second Piano Concerto is an unashamed showpiece for the soloist who’s centre stage at all times to dazzle the audience with light-fingered lyricism. The effervescent Romanian pianist Alexandra Dariescu takes up the challenge.

The rest of this Warsaw Philharmonic programme brings a welcome opportunity to experience the exhilarating Scherzo by the prolific Polish composer/violinist Grazyna Bacewicz. Infectiously jaunty, it’s a fitting entrée to Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony which, whose sheer physical energy shocked some of its first listeners enough to question his sanity. However, the symphony’s winning mix of unstoppable momentum and unforgettable tunes ultimately made it one of his most instantly recognisable and popular works. Heard by millions through its use in several movies and TV shows, from The King’s Speech to Seinfeld, it’s an edge-of-the-seat experience when heard live.