Philharmonia Orchestra

The grand finale of the Philharmonia's 80th birthday celebrations is a complete reconstruction of a celebrated concert from 1947, when the 83-year old Richard Strauss conducted the then recently formed orchestra in pieces that he particularly loved.

The exhilarating Don Juan was the first big success of his career, a bold and dashing work which proceeds at full throttle before evaporating in an enigmatic conclusion.

The Sinfonia domestica uses his home life – children playing, a quarrel and reconciliation with his wife, dreams and cares at night – as the starting point for a work which overflows with imaginative and exuberant music.

The fleet-fingered and witty Burleske is perfect for tonight's soloist, Benjamin Grosvenor, and the concert ends with what was the encore in 1947, superb waltzes from Strauss' most famous and heartwarming opera.

The Philharmonia Orchestra is Anvil Arts’ Orchestra in Partnership.