Alena Baeva plays Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto

We are set for an evening that balances rhythmic drive with expansive melody. The performance opens with Manuel de Falla’s music for The Three-Cornered Hat, which brings the vivid, percussive atmosphere of Spanish dance into the concert hall. You will hear a mezzo-soprano solo integrated into this orchestral tapestry, providing a rare vocal texture. This is followed by Gabriela Ortiz’s Clara, a contemporary work that offers a different perspective on orchestral color. The second half is dedicated entirely to Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major. You should listen for the soloist’s very first entry, which moves quickly from a gentle melody into a series of technical hurdles that define the work's reputation. The final movement is particularly notable for its high speed and folk-like themes, requiring the soloist to maintain precision amidst a full, energetic response from the orchestra. The sequence of the evening highlights how composers across different eras have used local traditions to reshape the classical form.

The BBC Symphony Orchestra is a central fixture of London’s musical life, particularly at the Barbican. They are known for a wide-ranging repertoire that spans established classics and modern commissions. Joining them is the conductor Nil Venditti, who leads this diverse programme. The soloist for the Tchaikovsky concerto is Alena Baeva, a violinist recognised for her technical clarity and international concert presence. Mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb also joins the ensemble to perform the vocal sections of the Falla score, bringing her operatic experience to the orchestral stage.

This performance takes place at the Barbican in London and has a total duration of 120 minutes, including an interval. Because the programme features a famous, melodic concerto alongside energetic dance music, we find it a suitable choice if you are visiting the symphony for the first time. There is no specific dress code for this venue, though most attendees opt for smart-casual attire. As a choral and orchestral event, please note that vocal sections are performed in their original language.