The Full Works Concert - Wednesday 29 January 2014: Classic FM on Tour

Our week-long celebration of some of our partner orchestras continues - and tonight, Jane Jones celebrates the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Classic FM's Orchestra in the North-West of England.

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra has been at the heart of Liverpool's cultural life for generations. Each year, it gives approximately 70 concerts from September to June at its home venue - Liverpool Philharmonic Hall - as well as performing in venues across the City, including its two Cathedrals.

In November 2001, the RLPO was the first UK orchestra to enter into a ground-breaking partnership with Classic FM which saw it adopted as the station’s ‘Orchestra in North West England'. We have since worked together on a wide range of initiatives, including the introduction of the Classic FM Concert Series which have successfully encouraged people to go out and enjoy live classical music, many for the first time, at Philharmonic Hall, and at other venues around the UK.

Tonight's concert is a varied programme ranging from Beethoven's iconic Symphony No.5 - conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras (pictured) - to 20th century masterpieces from Gershwin and Copland.


George Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue
Piano: Benjamin Grosvenor
James Judd conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Frederick Delius: The Walk to the Paradise Garden
John Wilson conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Jon Lord: Evening Song
Piano: Jon Lord
Flute: Cormac Henry
Clark Rundell conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No.5 in C minor
Charles Mackerras conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Camille Saint-Saens: Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso
Violin: Nicola Benedetti
Vasily Petrenko conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Ralph Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Vernon Handley conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Aaron Copland: 5 Old American Songs
Bass-baritone: Willard White
Carl Davis conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Gershwin: Porgy and Bess - I got plenty of nothin'
Bass-baritone: Willard White
Banjo: Robert Shepley
Carl Davis conducts Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra