Surrey Mozart Players

Saturday 25 March 7.30pm

Tickets: £21, under 21s £5

Arensky Variations on a Theme by Tchaikovsky

Shostakovich

Piano Concerto No. 2 Tchaikovsky Suite No. 1 for Orchestra

Philip Ellis Conductor Antonina Suhanova Piano

Surrey Mozart Players return to The Menuhin Hall with a programme of tributes, homages and celebrations. On hearing of the death of his great friend, mentor and supporter Tchaikovsky, Anton Arensky composed his beautiful and heartfelt Tchaikovsky Variations as part of his second string quartet. Realising that he had created a gem, he re-scored the work for string orchestra, a much-treasured addition to the legacy of Tchaikovsky.

Shostakovich’s second piano concerto was a birthday present – a father’s proud and loving gift to his son Maxim on his graduation from the Moscow Conservatoire. Two movements of celebration and high spirits, frame a stunning, achingly beautiful slow movement of Mozartian lyricism. Tchaikovsky’s Suite No. 1 for Orchestra is a celebration of the Baroque dance suite and a precursor of his great ballet music. Displaying astounding innovation and imagination this work shows us the full range of Tchaikovsky’s genius.

Antonina Suhanova is supported by The Musicians’ Company.

Running time: 80 minutes plus interval