Santtu and Yuja Wang

Programme

Brilliant and charismatic pianist Yuja Wang joins the Philharmonia for an afternoon of unabashed Romanticism.

She opens with Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, a set of variations alternately sparkling and thoughtful, moody and full of fun. The passionate 18^th variation is a perennial favourite – Rachmaninov knowingly declared “this one is for my agent.” But that’s just the starter – next it’s time for his First Piano Concerto. Rachmaninov began this piece when he was just 17 years old, but it’s already full of his trademark mix of ravishing melodies and dazzling showmanship. Either of these pieces would be a huge challenge for most pianists, never mind both in one concert – but the sensational Yuja Wang is certainly not most pianists.

Tchaikovsky’s music was a major influence on the young Rachmaninov. His Fourth Symphony, opening with a portentous horn fanfare, is a product of Romanticism at its height. From deceptively simple melodies, Tchaikovsky builds a spellbinding forty minutes of high emotional drama.