Acclaimed conductor Rimma Sushanskaya – the last pupil of David Oistrakh – and the National Symphony Orchestra perform a series of concerts here at Cadogan Hall, opening with this programme titled ‘Northern Lights and New World’, a captivating exploration of national identity through music. Sibelius’ intensely patriotic Finlandia is a powerful symphonic poem, a stirring declaration of national identity that has resonated with audiences for generations. The Orchestra welcomes violinist Mathilde Milwidsky for Norwegian composer Johan Svendsen’s lyrical Romance, showcasing the instrument’s rich and expressive capabilities, and the first half concludes with Sibelius’ Karelia Suite, a vivid and folk-inspired evocation of the region’s history and landscape. The evening culminates with Dvořák’s expansive ‘New World’ Symphony, an extraordinary musical portrait that captures the spirit of a new continent, making for a triumphant finale to the evening.