Sir Antonio Pappano conducts Imogen Holst, Korngold, and Shostakovich — With Vilde Frang

Norwegian violin virtuoso Vilde Frang joins Sir Antonio Pappano and the London Symphony Orchestra to perform the thrillingly cinematic and sweepingly romantic Violin Concerto by Korngold, which premiered to ecstatic audiences in the hands of Jascha Heifetz in 1947. As in Frang's 2016 recording of this work, expect to be amazed by an "almost intimidating dexterity and polish," as well as "impeccable intonation" and "a clean directness that sounds utterly fresh" (Gramophone). Sir Antonio Pappano and the LSO open the program with the sumptuous Persephone, an overture of Ravelian harmony and mythological imagery by Imogen Holst, the daughter of Gustav (The Planets), whose work has been rediscovered and acclaimed in recent years. The closer is Shostakovich's darkly comic and brilliantly composed Fifth Symphony, which managed to satisfy both the Soviet censors as well as the public, and whose elusive emotionality has been interpreted as either (or both!) earnest expression or sardonic parody.

Photo © Mark Allan