Richard Strauss was greatly affected by what was happening to his beloved Germany in the latter stages of the Second World War, particularly the bombing of Munich in 1943, when much of the city was destroyed including his beloved opera house, a building that for him symbolised the vanishing of the musical life he had known. His composition for 23 solo strings with its hints of Betthoven, especially the 'Funeral March' from the Third Symphony (Eroica), was his very personal response to these events.

Beethoven's 4th Piano Concerto broke the mould (the soloist starts the work!), and set new patterns for all future piano concertos while Mozart's final symphony is a tour de force of orchestral writing whose finale shows the mastery of his genius. We are delighted to welcome back Leon McCawley for our final concert of this season.

Supported by Patrons

John & Valerie Chew

and Stanley & Gladys O'Connor