Performance on 3 - London Philharmonic/Jurowski

Presented by Petroc Trelawny In tonight's concert, Russian conductor Vladimir Jurowski conducts an all-Czech programme, though with some Russian connections: Janacek's Taras Bulba is a rhapsodic evocation of episodes from Gogol's novel about the adventurous life of a Cossack. Josef Suk's massive Asrael Symphony has a tragic backstory. Suk was a protégé of Dvorak, and when the celebrated older composer died in 1904 Suk, was shaken to the core. His immediate response was creative: he wrote three movements of a symphony, producing long, Dvorákian, lyrical themes intensified by his own yearning chromatic harmonies. But a year later, Asrael, the 'Angel of Death' visited Suk once more: it took his wife, Otylka. Suk was distraught. But he pushed on. He fashioned two final movements as a memorial to her; after a furious scherzo the yearning had turned to resolution as Suk found comfort in the transcendental and uplifting renewal of the natural world. Recorded last week at the Royal Festival Hall, London. Janacek: Taras Bulba Janacek: The Eternal Gospel (Vecne Evangelium) Josef Suk: Symphony no.2 (Asrael) Sofia Fomina (soprano) Adrian Thompson (tenor) London Philharmonic Choir London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vladimir Jurowski Followed by music of leading contemporary composers from around the world. Tonight, music by the South African composer Kevin Volans. Into Darkness Crash Ensemble Fifth Dance (from White Man Sleeps) Kevin Volans & Robert Hill (harpsichord) Margaret Tindemans (viola da gamba)