Philharmonia Orchestra London, Santtu and Seong‐Jin Cho

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.

Celebrated pianist Seong‐Jin Cho, renowned for his mastery at the keys, will illuminate the stage with the Philharmonia Orchestra, presenting Shostakovich’s most whimsical concerto.

Since his impressive victory at the International Chopin Competition in 2015, Cho's musical journey has been marked by continual ascent. His collaboration with the Philharmonia at the previous Edinburgh International Festival garnered admiration, with The Scotsman lauding his 'astounding agility'. This agility will be put to the test as they delve into Shostakovich’s Concerto for Piano, Trumpet and Strings, a piece bubbling with vivacity and wit.

Under the baton of Finnish Principal Conductor Santtu, the evening commences with Sibelius’s Sixth Symphony. Sibelius once likened it to 'pure cold water', distinguishing it from the eclectic 'cocktails' offered by his avant‐garde contemporaries in the 1920s. Yet, within this symphony, listeners will also find threads of warmth and joviality.

In discussing his own Sixth Symphony, Shostakovich remarked on its intention to mirror ‘the moods of spring, joy, and youth’. It might hint at the tumultuous emotions of adolescence – the reflective opener is followed by a vibrant Scherzo, leading to an electrifying finale.

upported by the Korean Cultural Centre UK. Celebrating 140 years of friendship between the UK and the Republic of Korea.