Santtu Conducts Prokofiev & Shostakovich

The Philharmonia’s principal conductor, Santtu-Matias Rouvali, opens with Prokofiev’s homage to Mozart, the ‘happy and uncomplicated’ Symphony No.1.

Prokofiev wrote in his journal while he was writing the effervescent last movement, ‘I was hugging myself with delight all the time I was composing it.’

It’s mind-boggling to think that Shostakovich was just 19 years old when he wrote his First Symphony, as a graduation piece at the Leningrad Conservatory.

Don’t be fooled by his young age: already, we hear the composer’s distinctive voice and mastery of the power and potential of the orchestra. His professors arranged a public premiere by the Leningrad Symphony, and it caused a sensation.

Shostakovich was at a much lower point in his rollercoaster relationship with officialdom when he composed his Violin Concerto No.1.

Written in the shadow of his denunciation by the Soviet authorities, the piece did not receive its premiere until after Stalin’s death.

By turns anguished, sardonic, yearning and defiant, it’s easy to interpret this virtuosic concerto as Shostakovich’s response to Soviet oppression.

Tonight’s performance by the Philharmonia’s Featured Artist Nemanja Radulović is a chance to experience his ‘energy and firepower’ (Gramophone), but also his warmth and empathy.

This is the first of three Philharmonia concerts marking the 50th anniversary of Shostakovich’s death.

Performers

Philharmonia Orchestra

Santtu-Matias Rouvali conductor

Nemanja Radulovic violin

Repertoire

Prokofiev: Symphony No.1 in D (Classical)

Shostakovich: Violin Concerto No.1

Interval

Shostakovich: Symphony No.1

Need to know

Age guidance

For ages 7+

Event information

The Clore Ballroom at 9.30pm: insights talk. Violinist Nemanja Radulović and Teddy Prout from the Philharmonia Orchestra discuss the evening’s programme. Free.

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

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.

Getting here

Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.

The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.

We’re cash-free

Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.

We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.

All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.

All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.

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