We鈥檙e thrilled to be welcoming audiences back to MediaCityUK and we kick things off today with Brahms鈥� first Piano Concerto, live on 麻豆社 Radio 3 from Salford. Pianist Stephen Hough joins the orchestra for this personal and epic work which is peppered with hints at Brahms鈥� respect for Beethoven. Just like his contemporary, Brahms鈥檚 approach here draws on drama, colour and grandeur.
A hard act to follow, but Schubert鈥檚 delightful Rosamunde Overture dazzles in its wake. Originally written for the 1820 opera "Die Zauberharfe" (The Magic Harp), the piece we hear today came to be known as the "Rosamunde" overture when it was published as part of Schubert's incidental music for a play of the same name. The play in question, by a friend of Schubert鈥檚, had limited success, but Schubert鈥檚 stunning music endures.
To finish, we fast-forward 200 years. Conductor Jac Van Steen is an authority on David Matthews鈥� work, having conducted several of his symphonies with the 麻豆社 Philharmonic. Today鈥檚 outing of the London-born composer鈥檚 recently completed tenth, under Van Steen鈥檚 clear baton, is sure to be a treat.