Santtu conducts Stravinsky II: Petrushka | Philharmonia Orchestra

Santtu’s two-concert focus on Stravinsky and Prokofiev continues with the captivating ballet score Petrushka, and Prokofiev’s First Violin Concerto.

The year after the success of The Firebird (featured in our 18 May concert), Diaghilev commissioned another ballet score from Stravinsky. The result was Petrushka, the tale of three puppets brought to life by the bewitching flute melody of the Magician. Petrushka loves the Ballerina, but she only has eyes for the dashing Moor…

Prokofiev’s Lieutenant Kijé Suite is perhaps best known for its fourth movement, ‘Troika’, depicting a winter sleigh ride. Taken from his first film score, the suite is a beguiling blend of humour, romance, pathos and satire.

It paves the way for one of the great 20th century violin concertos. Esther Yoo brings her “superb self-possession [and]… deep and penetrating tone” (The Telegraph) to the solo part. The concerto balances lyricism and virtuosity with a darker edge – a hint of the turmoil and pain of the First World War and the impending Russian Revolution.