| London Philharmonic Orchestra | |
| Andrew Manze | Direction |
| Piers Lane | Piano |
The London Philharmonic Orchestra perform British music full of charm from the early 20th century.
One day in 1930, John Ireland heard a piano student practising at the Royal College of Music. He was struck by the student's combination of poetry and technique, and when he discovered who the mystery pianist was, he was enthralled by her physical presence and beauty too.
Ireland captured his sudden infatuation for the pianist Helen Perkin in his sparkling Piano Concerto, and it's easy to hear how the pianist inspired the composer to heights of brilliance, virtuosity and flair.
After it Andrew Manze conducts the emotional outpouring that is William Walton's First Symphony and Elgar's poised Introduction and Allegro for strings.
Supported by the John Ireland Charitable Trust.
Royal Festival Hall at 6pm - Free pre-concert event. Andrew Manze directs the LPO's Foyle Future Firsts in more English music. A series of jewel-like arrangements, realisations and recreations of Henry Purcell's music by 21st-century masters - George Benjamin, Oliver Knussen, Peter Maxwell Davies and Manze himself.
