London Philharmonic Orchestra: Russian epics

Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony is a sort of secret autobiography, whose story he explained only to his most trusted friends. But his experiences are all there in the music: from the terrifying opening fanfares, through tears, storms and moments of quiet tenderness, all the way to the Symphony’s delirious finish. Mikhail Agrest, of St Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre, understands this music instinctively. He’s an ideal partner for Sydney International Piano Competition winner Andrey Gugnin, in the Everest of Russian romantic piano concertos – Rachmaninov’s Third. Khachaturian’s Adagio from Spartacus launches this concert of big emotions and vast horizons.