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The GCO gives two concerts each year in St Alfege, a beautiful church designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor and consecrated in 1718. This one starts with the Overture to Egmont which will call you to attention. Egmont was a Dutch nobleman who resisted Spanish conquerors in the 14th century. Goethe' play telling this history inspired Beethoven's music for it and his overture's triumphant ending reflects the arc of the play.
Beethoven's eighth symphony is light-hearted and brilliant, but somewhat overlooked as it sits between the giants, the seventh and ninth. Beethoven reportedly thought it better than the seventh.
The second half of the concert is the symphonic masterpiece of the first piano concerto by Brahms. He was 25 at its first performance. Our soloist, Misha Kaploukhii, is 24, and is playing with the GCO for the third time. He is junior Fellow at the Royal College of Music.
The orchestra's leader is Gonzalo Acosta, formerly Associate Leader of the English National Opera orchestra and leader of many others including the CBSO. The conductor is the GCO's founder, David Cutts.