SHOSTAKOVICH Festive Overture
BRITTEN Cello Symphony
ELGAR Enigma Variations

ANDREW MANZE conductor
GUY JOHNSTON cello

The season starts with a mysterious masterpiece full of ‘dark sayings’. The theme, Elgar insisted, must be left unguessed and still baffles sleuths today, yet lies at the heart of one of the greatest works in British orchestral music. Our Principal Guest Conductor Andrew Manze explores the uncracked code in his introduction to, and performance of, Elgar’s Enigma Variations. Elegance, flair and passion follow with cellist Guy Johnston as soloist in Benjamin Britten’s only truly symphonic work. And Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, written in a flash of white-hot inspiration, kicks things off in celebratory style.