Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – Icons Rediscovered

In its ‘Icons Rediscovered’ series, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra takes a fresh look at much-loved masterpieces. The aim is “to take that music down from its pedestal, and rediscover the burning inspiration, the living emotion and the human personality behind even the most iconic of masterpieces”.

The orchestra’s series of five concerts at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall focuses on two icons of Romantic music – the Russian Sergei Rachmaninov and the Englishman Sir Edward Elgar. Through this series the orchestra also explores music by their contemporaries, Weinberg and Smyth, and pieces by living composer Lera Auerbach, whose music complements and contrasts with these earlier icons.

Icons Rediscovered: Rachmaninov’s Symphony No.2
Thu 8 Feb at 7.30pm
Elgar Cockaigne Overture  |  R. Strauss Six Songs After Poems by Brentano  |  Rachmaninov Symphony No.2

Icons Rediscovered: Elgar’s Symphony No.2
Wed 27 Mar at 7:30pm 
Ethel Smyth The Wreckers: Overture  |  Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No.3  |  Elgar Symphony No.2

Icons Rediscovered: Rachmaninov’s The Bells
Thu 11 Apr at 7:30pm
Elgar In the South (Alassio)  |  Weinberg Cello Concerto | Rachmaninov The Bells

Icons Rediscovered: Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Sun 9 Jun at 3pm 
Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini  |  Elgar Falstaff