The Hallé Orchestra, Rory Macdonald, Andrew Tyson, Benedict Nelson, Nottingham Harmonic Choir

Elgar In the South
Grieg Piano Concerto
Walton Belshazzar's Feast

Their season finale brings together two English composers inspired by Italy, and an evergreen concerto written by a Norwegian abroad. The dynamic young American pianist Andrew Tyson is the soloist in Grieg's A minor piano concerto which has become his most significant orchestral work, his familiar lyricism allied to powerful drama. Elgar's stay in Alassio in 1904 inspired him to write his extrovert overture, In the South, while William Walton began writing his cantata in a monk's cell on the Amalfi coast. Belshazzar's Feast was first heard in the 1931 Leeds Festival.

Sir Thomas Beecham was so convinced it would fail that he sardonically suggested adding a couple of brass bands to its massive forces. Walton did just that, creating a widescreen spectacular, powered by his thrilling rhythmic drive and most brilliant orchestration.