English Symphony Orchestra - Glinka, Rachmaninov, Shostakovich at Cheltenham Town Hall

The English Symphony Orchestra’s highly anticipated ‘Monumental Symphonies’ series continues at Cheltenham Town Hall.

Glinka’s fiery and virtuosic Overture to Ruslan and Ludmilla sets the stage for an evening that sees the ESO traversing two monumental Russian works of the 1930s. Rachmaninov crowned his unique cycle of works for piano and orchestra with his 1934 Rhapsody, a work with the kind of abundance of melodic riches and virtuosic thrills in which Rachmaninov remains without peer. Performed by Canadian pianist Ryan Wang – BBC Young Musician winner in 2024 and the youngest performer ever to feature in Classic FM’s ‘30 under 30’ list in 2023.

Composed only three years later, Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony emerged from the darkest days of Stalinist repression as a form of musical testimony to the suffering and resilience of the Russian people which has made it, in the view of many music lovers worldwide, the definitive symphony of the 20th Century.

Tickets £5 – £30.50 Season ticket reductions available

ESO Insight

Join us at 6.30pm for our pre-concert event that bring you closer to the music. Hear the stories, ideas and creative voices behind each programme, and enjoy a relaxed, connected start to your ESO evening. Hosted by Kenneth Woods. Free to ticket holders.