Paavo Järvi Conducts Stravinsky’s The Firebird

‘Music has to have everything – overwhelming power, illuminating light, endless gentleness and the deepest darkness… Everything that makes us human,’ says Estonian composer Erkki-Sven Tüür.

And all these things combine to potent effect in his Cello Concerto No.2. Inspired by a poem by Federico García Lorca, it was written for tonight’s soloist Nicolas Altstaedt.

Stravinsky’s collaboration with the impresario Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes gave rise to some of the defining music of the early 20th century.

Petrushka tells of three puppets brought to life by the bewitching flute melody of the Magician. Petrushka loves the Ballerina, but she only has eyes for the dashing Moor…

The Firebird is based on stories from Russian folklore, with a colourful cast including a huntsman prince, a magical bird, an evil monster and 13 enchanted princesses.

It’s the perfect showcase for Stravinsky’s masterful orchestration skills and harmonic and rhythmic originality. ‘Mark him well,’ said Diaghilev when he first worked with the young Stravinsky, ‘he is a man on the eve of celebrity.’

Performers

Philharmonia Orchestra

Paavo Järvi conductor

Nicolas Altstaedt cello

Repertoire

Stravinsky: Petrushka (1947)

Erkki-Sven Tuur: Cello Concerto No.2 (Labyrinths of Life) (UK premiere)

Interval

Stravinsky: The Firebird, Suite (1919)

Need to know

Age guidance

For ages 7+

For your visit

This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre

The Royal Festival Hall is open six days a week.

Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.

A concrete building with flags on the roof, with the London Eye and Big Ben in the background

A lively crowd cheers with raised hands, while a performer in a white hat and suit plays guitar, against red lighting.

A guitarist performing on a dark stage at the Royal Festival Hall, lit up by multiple spotlights.

Pianis Víkingur Ólafsson is seated at a grand piano while playing Bach’s Goldberg Variations on the stage of Royal Festival Hall

Organist Carol Williams plays the Royal Festival Hall organ whiich is illumiated with bold colours

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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.

From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.

Other places to eat and drink whilst you’re here