Vasily Petrenko conducts Vaughan Williams

Reminding us of the power of music, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Music Director Designate Vasily Petrenko present a concert of uplifting works. Rossini's Overture from his one-act comic opera La scala di seta provides an assured opening, before Kian Soltani, the Orchestra's former Artist-in-Residence, is warmly welcomed back to perform Haydn's Cello Concerto in C major. Unearthed in 1961, two centuries after it was written, it swiftly gained popularity for its sense of joy and optimism. From the cello's triumphant opening chord in the first movement, through to the rapturous third movement, the melody dances between the soloist and orchestra with virtuosic displays of musical agility.

Vaughan Williams's Fifth Symphony rounds off this evening's concert, with its warmth, serenity and pastoral tranquillity that evokes, above all, hope.

Duration: approximately 75 mnutes with no interval.