Yeol Eum Son plays Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto

We begin this evening with Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, a piece requiring immense stamina and precision. You will hear the piano weave through dense, Romantic melodies that move from a deceptively simple opening theme to a series of powerful, technically demanding variations. After the interval, the mood shifts towards modern string writing. Golijov’s Last Round serves as a gritty, percussive tribute to the tango, while the orchestral version of Schulhoff’s Five Pieces brings a diverse suite of dance forms to the stage in its UK premiere. Listen for the way these string arrangements capture the biting irony of the original quartet. The evening concludes with Ravel’s La valse. We suggest you focus on how the initial fragments of a waltz gradually coalesce into a sweeping, turbulent finish. The work moves from a misty, uncertain beginning into a frantic, mechanical whirl that pushes the orchestra to its limits, offering a stark contrast to the earlier concerto.

The BBC Symphony Orchestra is a cornerstone of London’s musical landscape, known for championing both standard repertoire and significant new works. Joining them is the conductor Joshua Weilerstein, who frequently leads major international ensembles with a focus on clear, expressive communication. The soloist for the Rachmaninov concerto is Yeol Eum Son. She has built an international reputation for her technical clarity and her ability to navigate complex, large-scale piano literature. Together, these performers bring a blend of established expertise and fresh perspective to a programme that spans from Russian Romanticism to contemporary string music.

This performance takes place at the Barbican in London and has a total duration of 120 minutes, which includes an interval. Given the two-hour running time and the variety of the programme, this evening is well-suited for regular concertgoers and those interested in seeing a major concerto alongside contemporary orchestral premieres. The venue typically follows a smart-casual dress convention, and there are no specific requirements for formal attire. As the evening concludes with a highly energetic work by Ravel, you can expect a grand orchestral finish to the two-hour event.