This event is available to Young Musician’s Pass members. Booking opens at 12noon on 19 May and closes 5pm on 30 June. Tickets are likely to sell fast so don't wait.

This programme spans deep emotion and playful ingenuity, performed by the distinguished NFM Leopoldinum Orchestra under the direction of virtuoso violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky.

Grażyna Bacewicz’s Concerto for String Orchestra is a striking opener – its music shifting from fiercely propulsive to sublimely lyrical. A composer who deserves to be heard more often, Bacewicz brings a distinctive voice to 20th-century string repertoire. Richard Strauss’ Metamorphosen, composed amid the ruins of WWII, is steeped in grief and loss. In its long, intertwining lines, Strauss mourns a shattered world. 

In contrast, Wojciech Kilar’s symphonic work is inspired by the river Orawa which runs through the Polish mountains to the Slovakian border. 

Finally Rodion Shchedrin’s Carmen Suite bursts with theatrical flair. His reimagining of Georges Bizet’s opera – written for his ballerina wife – transforms its melodies into a thrilling ballet suite for strings and percussion.

What to expect at Usher Hall

Usher Hall is home to our series of world-class orchestras, soloists and operas in concert.

Sit back in the beautiful auditorium, turn off your phone and let the sounds of the symphony wash over you.

Part of our Focus on Poland series featuring seven concerts celebrating Polish culture.