Sibelius's Four Legends

The evening opens with Dvořák's Overture In Nature's Realm, a piece that captures the serenity of the outdoors through lush, pastoral textures. You will then hear the soloist navigate the intricate structures of Thomas Adès's Violin Concerto, Concentric Paths. This modern work is built around circular musical motifs that shift and overlap across its three movements. The second half is dedicated to Sibelius’s Lemminkäinen Suite, also known as the Four Legends from the Kalevala. Based on Finnish mythology, these four tone poems offer a rich palette of orchestral colour. You should listen particularly for the long, mournful cor anglais solo in The Swan of Tuonela, which represents a mystical bird floating on the waters of the underworld. The suite concludes with a vigorous, rhythmic depiction of the hero's homecoming, providing a spirited contrast to the darker, atmospheric movements that precede it. We expect the transition from the light of the Dvořák to the mythical depths of the Sibelius to create a sense of moving from the physical world into the legendary.

The Hallé is one of the oldest professional symphony orchestras in the United Kingdom, based in Manchester at The Bridgewater Hall. They are joined for this performance by conductor Elena Schwarz and the violinist Leila Josefowicz. Josefowicz is widely recognised for her dedication to contemporary music and her technical command of complex modern scores. Under Schwarz’s direction, the ensemble brings together their long tradition of performing Romantic staples with a clear focus on twentieth-century and contemporary repertoire. The collaboration highlights the orchestra’s versatility in handling both the expansive landscapes of Sibelius and the precise, challenging demands of living composers.

This orchestral concert takes place at The Bridgewater Hall in the heart of Manchester. The performance has a total duration of approximately 79 minutes, making it a relatively compact evening that might suit those who prefer a shorter programme or are visiting the concert hall for the first time. There is no specific dress code mentioned, so you should feel comfortable in smart-casual attire. With ticket prices starting from eighteen pounds fifty, it offers an accessible way to experience a major symphonic ensemble. We recommend arriving early to find your seat in this modern acoustic space.