LONDON SYMPHONY

D. Šostakovič, Sinfonia n. 9 in mi bem. magg. op. 70
R. Schumann, Concerto per violoncello e orchestra in la min. op. 129 (trascr. Šostakovič)
L. van Beethoven, Sinfonia n. 5 in do min. op. 67

The London Symphony Orchestra, who will be directed by Antonio Pappano, will perform at the 64th Stresa Festival’s closing concert along with cellist Mario Brunello, who is also the Artistic Director of the Festival. The highlight of the evening is the return of the prestigious London orchestra. Established in 1904, it has had many generations of extraordinary talents who have built its reputation for quality, ambition, and commitment. Antonio Pappano is the Principal Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra and has been the Music Director of the Royal Covent Garden Opera House from 2002 to 2024. He is Emeritus Musical Director of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia Orchestra in Rome, a position he held from 2005 to 2023. Mario Brunello is one of the most fascinating, complete, and sought-after artists of his generation. He is a soloist, conductor, chamber musician, and recently pioneer of new sounds with his small cello. He was the first European to win the 1986 Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow.
Two masterpieces that don’t require a lot of presentations are present in the program, Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and Schumann’s Cello Concert. Equally important is the less-known Sinfonia n. 9 by Šostakovič during the opening.