Vasily Petrenko conducts Beethoven 5

The evening begins with the debut of a brand-new work by Rimskaya-Korsakova titled A Bewitched Place. As a world premiere, this offers you the chance to be among the very first to hear how this contemporary voice interacts with the traditional orchestral palette. This leads into Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No.2, a piece widely respected for its formidable technical requirements. You may notice how the soloist navigates the dense, percussive writing and the expansive, often darker emotional landscape that distinguishes this concerto from the composer's other works. The second half of the concert is dedicated to Beethoven’s Symphony No.5. While the opening motif is famous, we suggest listening for how that short rhythmic cell permeates all four movements. The progression from the urgent C minor opening to the triumphant C major finale provides a satisfying structural arc that remains one of the most effective examples of symphonic development in the Western canon.

Vasily Petrenko leads the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, an ensemble that has long been a fixture of the London music scene and is celebrated for its versatility and international touring profile. Joining them is soloist Jan Lisiecki, a pianist known for bringing a thoughtful and refined touch to the core concerto repertoire. Petrenko has established a strong reputation for his interpretations of both Russian masterworks and the central Germanic symphonic tradition, ensuring a balanced approach to this programme which spans from the early nineteenth century to a contemporary world premiere.

This performance takes place at Cadogan Hall in London and has a total duration of approximately 130 minutes. This length, combined with the inclusion of Beethoven’s highly recognisable symphony, makes the evening a suitable choice for those visiting a concert hall for the first time. The programme is presented in two halves with an interval. There is no specific dress code for this venue, though many attendees choose smart-casual attire. You will find that the hall’s intimate acoustics are particularly well-suited to the intricate piano work featured in the first half.