Event Categories: Classical

Elgar’s Enigma Variations with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor: Gemma New
Piano: Daniel Ciobanu

Britten Peter Grimes: Four Sea Interludes
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3
Elgar: Enigma Variations

Returning to Hull City Hall for a captivating evening of orchestral masterworks, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra led by the talented Gemma New.

Dive into the turbulent seas of Benjamin Britten’s gripping Four Sea Interludes from the opera Peter Grimes, a powerful evocation of the elemental forces of nature.

Then, embark on a thrilling musical voyage with Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No.3, a tour de force of virtuosity and emotional depth, brought to life by the exceptional pianist Daniel Ciobanu.

The evening culminates with Elgar’s beloved Enigma Variations, a profound exploration of friendship and the human spirit, skilfully woven into an orchestral tapestry of unforgettable melodies.

Pre-concert talk 6.15pm

Soloist: Alessandro Taverna
Conductor: Andrew Penny MBE

Elgar: Sursum Corda
Rachmaninov: Piano Concert No. 2
Brahms: Symphony No. 3

Malcolm Ruddiforth was a long-time supporter of the Hull Philharmonic and our beautiful venue, and he left a generous bequest both to the orchestra and to the upkeep of the City Hall organ. To celebrate his generosity, we are bringing back two familiar and much-loved artists in a concert drawing on music close to Malcolm’s heart. Our Musical director emeritus, Andrew Penny, returns to the stage with international piano super-star, Alessandro Taverna, who will be performing Rachmaninov’s dazzling Piano Concerto No 2. Andrew has also chosen Elgar’s Sursum Corda to showcase the magnificent organ and will conduct Brahms’ Symphony No 3 to bring our season to a towering conclusion.

Pre-concert talk 6.30pm

Dvořák’s Symphony No.8 with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor: Eduardo Strausser
Violin: Liya Petrova

Schumann: Manfred Overture
Korngold: Violin Concerto
Dvořák: Symphony No.8

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra returns to Hull under the baton of conductor Eduardo Strausser for a musical journey across eras and emotions.

The concert opens with Schumann’s dramatic Manfred Overture, drawing inspiration from Lord Byron’s poetry. Let the stirring melodies transport you into the emotional world of the tormented title character.

Next, violin soloist Liya Petrova takes centre stage for Korngold’s Violin Concerto. This 20th century work seamlessly combines lyricism and technical fireworks into a gorgeous Romantic showcase. To close, Dvořák’s treasured Symphony No.8. Overflowing with engaging folk-inspired melodies, the composer’s pride in his Bohemian heritage resonates throughout this warm and majestic symphony.

Pre-concert talk 6.15pm.

Sibelius, Grieg and Bruch with the BBC Philharmonic

Conductor: John Storgårds
Violin: Jennifer Pike

Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No.1
Bruch: Violin Concerto No.1
Sibelius: Symphony No.3
Sibelius: Karelia Suite

Join the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra for a magical journey through the sweeping landscapes and stirring tales of the Nordic countries, led by the masterful Finnish conductor John Storgårds.

Grieg’s beloved ‘Peer Gynt Suite No.1’ will transport you to the rustic mountainsides of Norway, as you revel in the famous ‘In the Hall of the Mountain King’. Then, be swept up in the passion and lyricism of Bruch’s soaring ‘Violin Concerto No. 1’, performed with breath-taking virtuosity by the “simply spectacular” (The Independent) British violinist Jennifer Pike.

The concert closes with two iconic works from Finland’s greatest composer, Jean Sibelius. The mighty Symphony No.3 conjures visions of vast pine forests and icy northern vistas with its thrilling grandeur. And the stirring Karelia Suite evokes the resilient spirit of the Finnish people through majestic brass chorales and folk-inspired melodies.

Pre-concert talk 6.15pm.

Beethoven’s Violin Concerto.
Conductor: Kristian Sallinen
Violin: Inmo Yang

Tarkianien: Joye
Beethoven: Violin Concerto
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5

Spend an evening with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in Hull as young Korean violinist Inmo Yang joins the orchestra for Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, a timeless masterpiece that has captivated audiences for centuries. His passionate performance will leave you breathless.

The concert opens with Tarkiainen’s Joye, alluding to the ancient French word meaning “bliss” and “fortune”, it is filled with the elation and recklessness of a moment of intense happiness. Whetting your appetite ahead of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.5. The great symphonic soundscapes of Tchaikovsky’s orchestral music is closely tied to the theme of ‘Fate’, and the full emotional weight of this motif is heard at its strongest in his Symphony No.5. It displays Tchaikovsky’s brilliant orchestration and his ability to weave in the folk songs of his homeland, culminating with the ultimate triumph of hope in the explosive final movement of the symphony.

Pre-concert talk 6.15pm.

Beethoven’s Second Symphony with Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine.

Conductor: Theodore Kuchar
Cello: Jiří Bárta

Rossini: The Thieving Magpie Overture
Elgar: Cello Concerto
Beethoven: Symphony No.2
Dvořák: Slavonic Dances op. 46 Nos. 1 & 8 and op. 72 Nos. 2, 4 & 7

An unforgettable night of sublime classical music as Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine takes the stage under the masterful baton of conductor Theodore Kuchar.

The concert opens with the effervescent overture to Rossini’s comic opera The Thieving Magpie, then, marvel at the rich lyricism and profound emotionality of Elgar’s Cello Concerto, featuring the extraordinary artistry of celebrated cello soloist Jiří Bárta.

Be swept away by the power and passion of Beethoven’s life-affirming Symphony No.2, a work brimming with the composer’s signature inventiveness and vigour. The evening closes with Dvořák’s rousing Slavonic Dances, infectious outpourings of Czech folk spirit. From the first upbeat to the last thunderous chord, this concert promises to be an extraordinary celebration of music.