Czech Philharmonic
Tomáš Netopil conductor
Alisa Weilerstein cello
Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
Thursday 15 February 2018, 7.30pm
Dvořák: Cello Concerto
Smetana: Tábor and Blaník from Má Vlast
Elgar: Enigma Variations
The world-renowned Czech Philharmonic visit the Royal Concert Hall on 15 February, in a programme of great patriotic works from England and the Czech Republic, and featuring the brilliant American cellist, Alisa Weilerstein.
Described by The Telegraph as ‘truly a phenomenon’ with ‘rock-solid’ technique, Alisa gave one of the greatest ever performances in the Royal Concert Hall in 2012 when she played the Elgar Cello Concerto. Since then, she’s earned the reputation as the finest cellist of her generation.
For this concert she performs Dvorak’s passionate Cello Concerto, a work whose emotive themes are played out in an expansive, symphonic soundscape. Occupying similar musical terrain are two stirring pieces from Smetana’s epic symphonic cycle Má Vlast, which describe the Hussite stronghold of Tábor and the mountain, Blaník, where St Wenceslas’s army sleeps until his country’s hour of need.
Like his Czech counterparts, Edward Elgar’s patriotic musical voice is heard in his Enigma Variations which evoke images of his Malvern home and the friendships that sustained him. Amongst the perfectly orchestrated portraits are the composer’s ever-encouraging wife, Alice, several fellow musician friends, and, most famously, “Nimrod”, a heartfelt tribute to one of his most valued supporters that’s become synonymous with the spirit of England and a mainstay of emotive ceremonial occasions.
The concert begins at 7.30pm on Thursday 15 February 2018. Tickets are £15-£43 and are available from the Box Office on 0115 989 5555, in person from 9.00am to 8.30pm, Monday to Saturday and 24 hours online at trch.co.uk.
