Beethoven and Dvořák

Enjoy Dvořák’s ‘New World’ Symphony? Now discover his symphony from the old world! Dvořák simply couldn’t stop writing good tunes, and his Eighth Symphony begins with a hymn and ends with an all-out knees-up. In between, you’ll hear birdsong, thunder, village bands and graceful waltzes: this is folk music turned to symphonic gold, and it’s the perfect complement to Smetana’s joyous comedy overture. This is a concert that positively sparkles with sunlight – and masterpieces don’t get much sunnier than Beethoven’s youthful First Piano Concerto, especially when played by Sunwook Kim, a pianist and conductor who sees far beyond the notes. Tonight, he directs Beethoven’s concerto from the keyboard, just like the composer himself.