Proms: Aurora Orchestra

8.00 Proms: Aurora Orchestra

Nicholas Collon and the Aurora Orchestra’s from-memory performances have become a thrilling recent fixture of the Proms. Now, following symphonies by Beethoven, Brahms, Shostakovich and Berlioz, they tackle their most audacious challenge yet: a complete performance of the colourful 1945 suite from Stravinsky’s ballet 'The Firebird'. Russian fairy tales and folk melodies collide with Stravinsky’s bold musical modernism to create a memorable score. BBC Radio 3 presenter Tom Service introduces the work from the stage, exploring its textures and themes and dismantling its intricate musical narrative with the help of Collon and his musicians. The concert opens with another Russian classic: Rachmaninov’s virtuosic 'Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini' for solo piano and orchestra.

Pavel Kolesnikov Photo: Chris Christodoulou

Programme:

RACHMANINOV: Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini;

STRAVINSKY: The Firebird, Suite

Pavel Kolesnikov (piano), Aurora Orchestra conducted by Nicholas Collon

Recorded in the Royal Albert Hall, London by BBC (EBU)