Steven Osborne is joined by the orchestra and our Chief Conductor Ryan Wigglesworth for the festival鈥檚 closing concert. Steven has always been a leading champion of Tippett鈥檚 music, especially his glorious Piano Concerto whose infectious rhythms and ecstatic climaxes echo the music of his opera The Midsummer Marriage.
The music of Beethoven was one of Tippett鈥檚 lifelong inspirations, so the great 鈥楨roica鈥� symphony makes a fitting climax to the programme. Although originally intended as a tribute to Napoleon, until Beethoven famously repudiated him when he declared himself emperor, it remains music鈥檚 most magnificent celebration of the 鈥榟eroic鈥�.
