St Albans Festival

The evening

Sea, sky and symphonic power shape this expansive programme, moving from evocative seascape to heroic affirmation. Grace Williams’ Sea Sketches opens the concert with music of striking atmosphere and colour. Inspired by the Welsh coastline, its five linked movements capture the shifting moods of the sea, from brooding stillness to surging energy, in writing that is vivid, lyrical and richly expressive.

Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, the “Emperor”, stands at the centre of the evening, with Alim Beisimbayev welcomed back as soloist for this majestic work. Majestic in scale and radiant in spirit, the concerto projects confidence and nobility, balancing bold orchestral statements with moments of lyrical intimacy and brilliance at the keyboard.After the interval, Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5 brings the programme to a powerful close. Driven by organic growth, sweeping brass and the unforgettable “swan hymn” motif, it culminates in one of the most thrilling final gestures in twentieth century symphonic music.