The next full concert in the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s ListenAgain season is now available online.  If you missed this concert, conducted by Principal Guest Conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, you can listen online until 22 November 2011.

Listen again >

Sir Thomas Beecham Anniversary Concert

Weber Overture, Oberon
Mozart Piano Concerto No. 20, K466
Schubert Symphony No. 9 (Great)

Yannick Nézet-Séguin conductor
Aldo Ciccolini piano
London Philharmonic Orchestra

This concert was dedicated to the London Philharmonic Orchestra’s founder Sir Thomas Beecham in the 50th anniversary year of his death in 1961.

From its monolithic opening theme – kickstarting a cycle of inexorable momentum like a giant pendulum – to the breathless dash of its finale, Schubert’s Ninth offers one of the most riveting journeys of any symphony. No wonder it attracted the nickname ‘Great’. Even its gently undulating Andante is filled with suspense. If Yannick Nézet-Séguin wanted to convey a sense of impassioned drama in this concert, he chose the right piano concerto by Mozart, too: dark, tragic undertones haunt the Concerto No. 20, the piano eventually tearing into a furious finale whose dark storm clouds are only parted by the appearance of a radiant major key.  Joining him on the platform was legendary pianist Aldo Ciccolini, now in his 80s.

 Listen again >

Concert recorded 12 October 2011 at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall

www.lpo.org.uk