Philharmonia Orchestra London: Copland & Barber with Renaud Capuçon

About the Event

Immerse yourself in the stunning architecture of London's breathtaking Southbank Centre for the ultimate concert set to awake your understanding of classical music.

The series 'Let Freedom Ring: Celebrating the Sounds of America' continues, featuring what many regard as the pinnacle of American symphonies.

First premiered in 1946, Copland’s Symphony No. 3 was instantly hailed by its debut conductor as the greatest American symphony. It's a reputation that has endured. Resonating with hope, valor, and dignity, the symphony culminates in a finale that recalls the stirring notes of Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man. In the aftermath of World War II, Copland aspired for this piece to encapsulate the nation's buoyant spirit.

Next, Barber’s Violin Concerto stands toe‐to‐toe with his Adagio for Strings as a cherished masterpiece. Opening with a tranquility seldom matched in classical music, it transitions into a second movement adorned with a wistful oboe solo. The dynamic, relentless finale allows Renaud Capuçon to not only flaunt his nimbleness but also his mesmerizing 'liquid gold' tonality, as praised by Bachtrack.

Kicking off the program, American maestro Ryan Bancroft presents 'Entr’acte' by his fellow countrywoman, the Pulitzer Prize laureate Caroline Shaw. Shaw's intricate tapestry of sound contrasts beautifully, drawing listeners into a world where raindrops, sighing winds, and the timbre of a classical guitar come alive solely through the orchestra's strings.