Darkness and Light

A programme of emotional contrasts, from tragedy and turbulence to patriotic pride and triumph.
Sibelius’ ever-popular patriotic tone poem, Finlandia, opens the concert, followed by Borodin’s Nocturne with its main theme of remarkable beauty and emotional intensity. Next, St Cecilia is joined by rising star and former Young Musician of the Year brass finalist Will Thomas in Arutiunian’s virtuosic trumpet concerto: an energetic powerhouse of Eastern European lyricism and harmonic textures. After the interval comes Shostakovich’s Symphony No 10. Composed following the death of Stalin it is a colossal work: ’a declaration against injustice and a testament to freedom, truth and humanity’.