Elgar Cello Concerto

The evening opens with the hazy, Impressionist textures of Debussy’s Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune, where you will hear the flute’s opening solo drifting through shifting orchestral colours to evoke a lazy summer afternoon. This sense of atmosphere gives way to the emotional core of the programme, Elgar’s Cello Concerto. Written in the aftermath of the First World War, the work is defined by its introspective and elegiac character. Listen for the soloist’s commanding four-note opening chords and the subsequent long, searching melodies that move between melancholy and resilience. Following the interval, the scale shifts significantly for Brahms’s Symphony No.1. This is a monumental work that took the composer over twenty years to complete, moving from a tense, rhythmic opening in C minor towards a celebratory and triumphant finale. We will hear the orchestra at its most expansive here, with the strings and horns carrying the famous, soaring themes that finally resolved Brahms’s struggle to step out from Beethoven’s shadow.

Ariane Matiakh leads the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, a London-based ensemble celebrated for its versatility and extensive touring schedule across the UK. Joining them is soloist Zlatomir Fung, a cellist recognised for his technical precision and lyrical playing style. The orchestra is well-versed in the standard Romantic and early modern repertoire, often bringing a balanced, warm sound to these large-scale symphonic works. While they perform regularly at prestigious international venues, they maintain a strong presence in regional concert halls, providing high-quality orchestral experiences to audiences outside the capital.

This performance takes place at Hull City Hall and has a total running time of approximately 120 minutes, including an interval. The varied programme, which moves from short atmospheric pieces to a substantial symphony, makes it a suitable choice for those visiting a concert hall for the first time. There is no specific dress code for this event, so you should wear what makes you feel comfortable. The venue is situated in the city centre of Hull, and the two-hour duration allows for a full evening of orchestral music.