BBC National Orchestra of Wales

Sitting on a bench in Central Park on a summer’s night is the audio-painting Charles’ Ives creates in his Central Park in the Dark. Its partner work, The Unanswered Question, is often described as philosophy expressed in music, the “perennial question of existence”. Ecstatic, cascading rhapsodic passages make way for the shimmering heights of the solo violin in Szymanowski’s First Violin Concerto. John Adams’ Harmonielehre is full of surprises, bursting with energy, propelled forward by its  Minimalist harmonic movement.

Pre-concert talk (Free) | 6:30pm
Dr Jonathan James

One hour before each of our concerts we have a 30-minute insight into the music and the context to the performance. These popular events are accessible and informative and a great way to get more from your concert experience.    

The talks are free to attend, but spaces will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment.