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Clemens Schuldt conducts Raymond Yiu’s powerful new violin concerto, framed by explosions of colour and joy from Kodály and Beethoven.

Music is a life-force. Zoltán Kodály evokes the flying fiddles and Roma rhythms of his childhood village band with infectious glee. And Beethoven channelled the spirit of the dance in a leaping, surging Seventh Symphony that’s still one of the most exhilarating rides in all of western music.

At the heart of the concert, though, comes something new, and just as significant. Esther Yoo is the soloist in the new Violin Concerto by Raymond Yiu – a heartfelt homage to the memory of Ma Sicong, the great Chinese violinist who was persecuted (but never broken) by the Communist regime. It’s a story of sorrow, but also of profound humanity.

Sir Andrew Davis has had to withdraw from this concert. We are grateful to Clemens Schuldt who will conduct in Sir Andrew’s place.