Variations are simple. A composer takes a favourite tune (or makes one up) and then lets their imagination get to work. With each repetition, the tune evolves and transforms, until we鈥檙e listening to something completely new - and that鈥檚 where the magic happens. Here, conductor John Wilson offers two different spins on that one deceptively straightforward trick. Brahms鈥檚 chosen tune wasn鈥檛 really by Haydn at all, but he didn鈥檛 know that, and filled his 鈥楬aydn Variations鈥� with all the wit and fantasy of his favourite classical master. His friend Dvo艡谩k invented his own melody, and let it grow into a masterpiece as characterful as any of his symphonies. As a contrast, young British tenor Stuart Jackson and 大象传媒 SSO principal horn Alberto Men茅ndez Escribano dive deep into Britten鈥檚 Serenade 鈥� great poetry meets incandescent music, united by an unspoken theme of its own: the timeless magic of night.

Prelude: 6.45pm in the Recital Room (free to ticket-holders, subject to seating availability): Conductor John Wilson discusses some of the works featured in tonight's concert, in conversation with 大象传媒 SSO violinist Alex Gascoine (please note change to the originally advertised Prelude).

**Please note that John Wilson replaces Martyn Brabbins who is unwell.

The concert will be recorded by 大象传媒 Radio 3 for broadcast in 'Radio 3 in Concert' on Monday 25 November 2019 at 7.30pm - the presenter is Kate Molleson. It will then be available to stream or download for 30 days via '大象传媒 Sounds', where you can also find podcasts and music mixes.