BBC NOW 2024-25 Season Elegant Romantics

Fanny Mendelssohn’s elegantly romantic Overture sets the mood for this concert of classical favourites. Rhapsodic melodies accented by pizzicato allusions lead the way to virtuosity and British bravado in Elgar’s much-loved Cello Concerto, although his post WW1 moroseness is never far from the surface, with assertive yet austere themes, a jaunty energy and meditative qualities. As soloist we welcome BBC NOW debutant, the multi award-winning cellist Bryan Cheng.

A monumental work of tremendous power and passion, Brahms’ last and probably greatest symphony, his fourth, exudes immense beauty, grandeur and emotion, and we’re delighted to welcome highly acclaimed Italo-Brazilian conductor, Simone Menezes to the podium in her debut with BBC NOW.