Barbican Concerts

STRAVINSKY: Symphony in Three Movements
STRAUSS: Four Last Songs
BEETHOVEN: Symphony No 6 ('Pastoral')

Sir Colin Davis conductor
Sally Matthews soprano
London Symphony Orchestra

In 1948, the elderly Strauss was despondent. ‘Papa, do stop writing letters and brooding,’ sighed his son. ‘Write a few nice songs instead.’ The Four Last Songs may not be nice, but are haunting and profound. Stravinsky wrote his symphony just two years earlier, and it reflects the terrifying energy of the war years. Violence also pervaded Vienna in 1808, occupied by Napoleon’s troops: in response, Beethoven turned to evocations of the countryside.

Change of conductor and programme
Due to unforeseen scheduling issues, conductor Michael Tilson Thomas has had to withdraw from the LSO concert on Sunday 20 March 2011. Sir Colin Davis will take his place as conductor and two of the three programme items have changed as a result – Stravinsky Symphony in Three Movements replaces Ives Thanksgiving, and Beethoven Symphony No 6 (‘Pastoral’) replaces Strauss Ein Heldenleben.

Change of soloist
Elza van den Heever is indisposed and has had to withdraw from tonight's concert. We are delighted that Sally Matthews has agreed to step in at very short notice

Tickets: £8 £14 £19 £25 £30

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20 Mar programme