London Symphony Orchestra, Antonio Pappano, Bruce Liu

The early years of the twentieth century saw changes in the musical life of London that resulted in, among other things, the founding of the London Symphony Orchestra in 1904. The LSO has been involved in recording since the early days of the phonograph. It made its first gramophone record in 1912 and is today one of the most frequently recorded orchestras in the world. Returning to the conductor’s rostrum is Sir Antonio Pappano, who took over as the orchestra’s chief conductor in the 2024/25 season. The British-Italian conductor began his international career as Daniel Barenboim’s assistant at the Bayreuth Festival. Other notable chapters have included stints as music director in Oslo, Brussels and Rome. The pianist is Bruce Liu, winner of the 2021 Chopin Competition in Warsaw, since which time he has been a regular presence on the most prestigious concert stages in Europe, North America and Asia.

The programme begins with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor. Dating from Beethoven’s middle period, this work is often associated with ethical seriousness and expressive tension and is notable for its dramatic character. The slow movement represents one of Beethoven’s most restrained and introspective moments. The second half of the evening is dedicated to Anton Bruckner’s apocalyptic Ninth Symphony. The composer’s last work, of which three of the four planned movements survive, is dedicated “To the Dear Lord”. Using bold harmony, pronounced chromaticism, loosened tonality and a dense layering of orchestral textures, Bruckner expanded the symphonic form to monumental dimensions.