| Wednesday 17 March 2027 | 19:00 |
| Wagner, Richard (1813-1883) | Siegfried Idyll | |
| Clyne, Anna (b. 1980) | Viola Concerto | |
| Strauss, Richard (1864-1949) | Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), Op.40 |
| Kazuki Yamada | Conductor |
| Lawrence Power | Viola |
| City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra |
A ‘Heroic’ composer, a thrilling world premiere, and one of the best presents in history.
A concert to melt the heart, and raise the spirits. Wagner’s presentation of the Siegfried Idyll to his wife Cosima is like something out of a romcom. He composed this sumptuously romantic work in secret, then rehearsed fifteen musicians for a private performance on Christmas Day – surprising and delighting Cosima on waking that morning. The hero of Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben is... Strauss himself. While something of ego-trip, it is also a rich, sometimes witty and occasionally heartfelt work, including love-music to his wife, and snarky digs at music critics. Anna Clyne, one of the most inventive and gifted composers working today, presents a world premiere of a new viola concerto, written for the outstanding talents of Lawrence Power.
