“I want so much to show not only to others, but to myself, that I still haven’t expired,” Tchaikovsky wrote in 1881. Despite such concerns, his Fifth Symphony proved exceedingly popular and even inspired the song Moon Love, made famous by Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra. Maestro Andrew Gourlay pairs it with Britten’s Sinfonia da Requiem, originally commissioned by the Japanese government to mark the 2,600th anniversary of the Mikado dynasty but later rejected for its use of Christian movement titles.

Limelight Editor’s Choice

The lyrical clarinet opens Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.5 – and it’s a melody you’ll be whistling for days after the concert. The rest of the instruments soon join in and before you know it, our entire Orchestra is performing at full throttle. Just wait for their electrifying finale! British conductor Andrew Gourley won’t succumb to the drama – he’ll create it, arms drawing romantic melodies from the strings, spine arching towards the commotion. Britten’s Sinfonia da Requiem begins at the other end of the energy spectrum, and your heart will beat with our lowest instruments before this music takes a haunting turn. Serious concertgoers won’t want to miss this performance – and if you’re looking to kick off your classical music journey, this is a spectacular way to start.