CHINEKE! ORCHESTRA

The fourth of Haydn’s groundbreaking Paris set of symphonies is one of the finest in his whole huge output. Three stately opening movements (befitting its ‘royal’ title) give way to a dancing, lighthearted finale. It’s followed by a violin concerto by one of the great figures of 18th century French music, a composer, violinist and conductor born in Guadeloupe whose virtuoso orchestra commissioned the Paris symphonies from Haydn. Beethoven’s Eroica symphony expanded both symphonic form and musical language in one astounding blow. The emotional heart of the piece is the famous funeral march, and it ends with a set of variations on a simple tune that overflows with musical imagination.

Gramophone