James Ehnes Plays Dvořák
Dvořák’s lively violin concerto, in the hands of a master, is at the heart of an evening of musical storytelling with the Philharmonia Orchestra.
Violinist James Ehnes, a regular collaborator with the Philharmonia, brings his ‘unquestionable virtuosity’ (Bachtrack) to Dvořák’s ever-popular concerto, with its singing, dancing, folk-flavoured finale.
Two vivid tales in very different moods make up the second half of the evening. Violence, anguish and drama fill Janáček’s Taras Bulba, composed in 1919 as war raged throughout Europe.
In contrast, fun and fantasy are the order of the day in Kodály’s suite from his comic opera Háry János. Háry’s quixotic adventures include single-handedly defeating Napoleon, and attracting the romantic attentions of his Empress Marie Louise. Kodály describes them in lively, impressionistic music, with memorable passages for woodwinds, tubular bells and the Hungarian cimbalom.
Conductor Kevin John Edusei has made a characteristically creative choice to open this colourful programme: a swashbuckling overture by Dora Pejačević. A Croatian countess, socialist and polymath who exchanged ideas with many of the great artists and thinkers of early 20th-century Europe, her inventive music deserves to be more familiar today.
Performers
Philharmonia Orchestra
Kevin John Edusei conductor
James Ehnes violin
Repertoire
Pejačević: Overture in D minor for large orchestra, Op.49
Dvořák: Violin Concerto
Interval
Suk: Fantastic Scherzo, Op.25
Janáček: Sinfonietta
Need to know
Times & tickets
Dates, times and prices
Dates & times
29 Oct 2026, 7.30pm
Run time
1 hour and 55 minutes (approx)
All timings are approximate and subject to change
Standard entry
from £12 + £4 booking fee
Ticket prices may be adjusted without notice to reflect demand.
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Multi-buy Autumn/Winter 26/27 discount
3 – 4 events: 10% discount
5 – 7 events: 15% discount
8 – 10 events: 20% discount
11 – 14 events: 25% discount
15+ events: 30% discount
Discounts apply to selected events, September 2026 – January 2027 inclusive. Offer can’t be combined with the Spring/Summer 2026 multi-buy.
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This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre
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Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
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The Royal Festival Hall is home to our largest auditorium as well as The Clore Ballroom, National Poetry Library, Members’ Lounge, Festival Bar & Kitchen, Ballroom Cafe and Skylon restaurant.
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On Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace. You can grab a coffee and a slice of freshly made cake from our Ballroom Cafe. Or alternatively enjoy destination dining in the restaurant at Skylon.
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