Oramo conducts Beethoven's Fourth Symphony

“A Grecian maiden” was how one 19th century critic described Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony, but no words really do justice to the sparkling humour and pure, irrepressible life-force of this firecracker of a symphony. It’s a perfect counterpart to Detlev Glanert’s stunning new Harp Concerto – inspired by the harp’s ancient roots and glowing with the sunlight of Ancient Greece.

We’re always excited to perform the music of this wonderfully communicative German composer, and for this performance, inspired by the virtuosity of BBC Symphony Orchestra harpist Elizabeth Bass, he’s given the concerto a complete makeover. To open, there’s a postcard from Finland: Cecilia Damström’s evocation of the beauty of winter doubles as an urgent bulletin from the frontline of the climate crisis.