Acclaimed conductor Nodoka Okisawa makes her TSO debut in this French-themed concert with a Japanese twist.

TSO Principal Cello Jonathan Békés stars in Saint-Saëns’ Cello Concerto No 1, a work of lyrical beauty and virtuosic brilliance. Takashi Yoshimatsu’s And Birds are Still brings a welcome contrast, evoking stillness and quiet observation.

We end with Poulenc’s quirky and fun Sinfonietta, a harmonious nod to Prokofiev’s witty and elegant Symphony No 1, the ‘Classical’, which opens our concert.