The Hallé Orchestra, Jack Liebeck

Programme:
Rossini Overture: The Silken Ladder
Dvorák Violin Concerto
Vaughan Williams A London Symphony

Karl-Heinz Steffens conductor
Jack Liebeck violin

The overture Rossini wrote for his opera The Silken Ladder reveals all the Italian’s wit, charm and prodigious gift for melody and is a perfect way to start this colourful concert.

Dvorák’s exuberant Violin Concerto requires exceptional virtuosity and musicianship and the British violinist, Jack Liebeck, has both in abundance.

The work’s slow movement is a gorgeous outpouring of lyricism, while its dancing finale simply oozes rhythmic vitality and Slavic cheer.

In the second half Karl-Heinz Steffens and the Hallé transport us back to old London town with Vaughan Williams’ magnificently atmospheric and vividly-drawn ‘London Symphony’. Bloomsbury Square, the chimes of Big Ben and the cry of a Chelsea lavender seller, this symphony is simply packed with local colour.