Europa Concert

The Berlin Philharmonic's visit to the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford on 1st May stands out as one of 2010's musical highlights. The orchestra's annual Europa Concert celebrates their formation and each year takes place in a major European cultural centre. This year it was the turn of Oxford and the intimate surroundings of Sir Christopher Wren's Sheldonian Theatre. Under the inspirational leadership of conductor Daniel Barenboim, the concert included a memorable performance of Brahms' First Symphony. But for many it was the inclusion of the Cello Concerto by Sir Edward Elgar that captured the imagination. It's a piece that, for British audiences, will forever be associated with Jacqueline du Pre, to whom Barenboim was married. It is performed here by the outstanding young American cellist Alisa Weilerstein. Clemency Burton-Hill introduces the concert and talks to Barenboim and Weilerstein about their approach to performing Elgar.