The Full Works Concert - Thursday 31 July, 8pm

Dvorak's yearning Cello Concerto - played by Gautier Capucon - is the highlight of tonight's Concert

One of the greatest concertos in the entire cello repertoire features in tonight's Concert. It's by Dvorak – and Jane Jones has chosen a brilliant recording by Gautier Capucon (pictured)

Like the New World Symphony, the Cello Concerto is another work hailing from the composer’s American period and is infused with the same sense of homesick longing that pervades the symphony. Yet there is far more to the Cello Concerto than initially meets the ear. Homesickness tells only half the tale. With Dvořák in America was his wife, Anna, whom he had married only after courting and being turned down by her elder sister, Josefina. At that time, he had started but not finished an early cello concerto, an expression of his love. Now, in America, he learned that Josefina was seriously ill – and began another cello concerto. Into it, he wove Josefina’s favourite of his songs, called ‘Leave Me Alone’. It is heard most achingly in the wonderful slow movement. 

Tonight, Jane also has beautiful choral music by the contemporary British composer Will Todd, and the jazzily effervescent orchestral poem, An American in Paris by George Gershwin.

10 reasons why we love George Gershwin >

Ralph Vaughan Williams: The Wasps – Overture
Mark Elder conducts the Halle Orchestra

Antonin Dvorak: Cello Concerto in B minor Opus 104
Cello: Gautier Capucon
Paavo Jarvi conducts the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Franz Schubert: Symphony No.3 in D major D.200
Thomas Dausgaard conducts the Swedish Chamber Orchestra

Will Todd: Stay with Me, Lord
Nigel Short directs the English Chamber Orchestra and Tenebrae

George Gershwin: An American in Paris
Michael Tilson Thomas conducts the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra