[short_description]

Since its first performance in the Queen’s Hall in London in 1896, the Concerto for Cello by Antonin Dvorak has been a staple of the concerto repertoire. The soloist is the renowned British cellist Raphael Wallfisch. The recording of the Dvorak concerto by Wallfisch has been described as the best recording of the work in 25 years. Probably the finest work ever written for the instrument, it had a less than auspicious beginning, the work being revised and edited before it reached its final version. The great Johannes Brahms corrected the proofs for Dvorak’s concerto and professed himself a great admirer of the work, praise indeed.

This concert starts with the four musical post-cards of Aus Italien by the 22-year-old Richard Strauss. Inspired by a summer visit to Italy, Strauss wrote a specific pictorially descriptive programme for the work – the warm sun and relaxed atmosphere of Italy provide a perfect setting for this four-movement symphonic work.