Lintu conducts Petrushka

It’s springtime in old Russia, and in a cacophony of colour, buried passions smoulder and erupt. Stravinsky’s ballet Petrushka tells the story of the loves and jealousies of three puppets, but they’re not all they seem – just as the Serenades of Magnus Lindberg’s brilliant new orchestral work sing of darkness, as well as joy. Together, they make a kaleidoscopic setting for this rare performance of Galina Ustvolskaya’s searing First Symphony. We are also treated to Rachmaninov’s much-loved Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.

“I live in the twentieth century, in which there were thousands of influences” wrote Ustvolskaya, but her First Symphony is an uncompromising cry against injustice and intolerance, told in music that could be by no other composer. Three vivid stories and three powerful creative personalities, placed in dialogue by guest conductor Hannu Lintu. You might be surprised by what they have to say.