Few violinists have such strong links with the Violin Concerto by Jean ‎Sibelius as Viktoria Mullova. The Russian soloist, one of the most ‎brilliant performers of her generation, joins the Barcelona Symphony ‎Orchestra once again to play one of the most sublime pieces for her instrument. ‎

The concert will also include Symphony No. 1 in G minor “Winter ‎Daydreams” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and will be conducted by ‎‎Dima Slobodeniouk, one of today’s leading specialists in Finnish music. ‎

‎Jean Sibelius devised a vast symphonic canvas in his only concerto for solo ‎artist and orchestra. Firmly established as an essential piece in the violin repertoire, the ‎‎Violin Concerto, Op. 47 is a journey that takes human expression to ‎unfathomable depths. The precision of his writing, his perfect knowledge of the instrument ‎and his close involvement with the orchestra contribute to a work produced at the peak of ‎his creative powers.‎

‎Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky undertook three complete revisions of his first ‎symphony during his lifetime. The name Winter Dreams was given to the work ‎by the composer himself, as were the evocative, programmatic subtitles in the first and ‎second movements (“Dreams of a Winter Journey” and “Land of Desolation, Land of Mists”, ‎respectively). It was excluded from the orchestral repertoire for many years, despite its ‎undeniable merit. The symphony is a masterly combination of German symphonic technique ‎‎(seen in the thematic links between the four movements) and music with a distinct Russian ‎stamp.‎

‎Audiences can spend an unforgettable evening enjoying this music, played by true ‎specialists in the repertoire, in Hall 1 Pau Casals on Friday 23 April and Saturday 24 April at 7 ‎pm.‎

‎Sant Jordi special offer ‎
‎Starting tomorrow and for 72 hours only, L’Auditori de Barcelona will celebrate Sant ‎Jordi by offering 1,000 tickets to see the Barcelona ‎Symphony Orchestra for only 25 euros each. ‎

Those who buy tickets as part of this special offer can choose any of the last six ‎programmes in the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra season, including the Mullova ‎and Slobodeniouk event. This is an opportunity to attend concerts featuring such outstanding ‎soloists as violinist Daniel Hope, sisters Kristine and Margarita ‎Balanas, the oboist Ramón Ortega Quero and the voices of mezzosoprano ‎Nancy Fabiola Herrera and contralto Anna Larsson.‎

The programmes also include three conductors who are revolutionising ‎the international scene and who will be appearing with the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra ‎for the first time: Ruth Reinhardt, Anja Bihlmaier and Shi-Yeon Sung. ‎‎Vasily Petrenko and Kazushi Ono will also be conducting.‎