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Sir Mark Elder returns to Manchester and is reunited with the Hallé and Hallé Choir in this fantastic programme of Russian music.

He opens the concert with Glinka’s dazzling, high-energy overture that captures the magical, adventurous spirit of his opera Ruslan and Ludmilla which is followed by Stravinsky’s Song of the Nightingale – an effective musical illustration of both real and mechanical birdsong.

Based on the poem by Nikolay Nekrasov, Rachmaninov’s Spring, which quite opposed to its joyful title follows a husband who, previously inflicted with murderous thoughts towards his unfaithful wife during the winter, is released from his frustration with the return of spring. After the interval, Tchaikovsky’s Second Symphony, inspired by Ukrainian folksongs, provides a joyful end to the evening.

Presented by Tom McKinney live from the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester.

Glinka: Ruslan and Ludmilla Overture
Stravinsky: Song of the Nightingale
Rachmaninov: Spring
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.2

Kostas Smoriginas (baritone)
Hallé Choir
Hallé Orchestra
Matthew Hamilton (choral director)
Sir Mark Elder (conductor)

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