The Full Works Concert – Thursday 16 May: Marvellous Maestros

The fourth in Jane's week of concerts of great conductors features some giants of the classical music world, including the late Sir Colin Davis.

Tonight’s concert begins with a masterful performance of Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony from the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Claudio Abbado. The Italian conductor, who turns 80 this year, has served as music director of La Scala Milan, principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, and principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic from 1989 to 2002.  

Mendelssohn’s Symphony No.3 (‘Scottish’) is performed by marvellous maestro Kurt Masur, conducting the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. In 1970, Masur became Kapellmeister of the orchestra and served in that post for 26 years.

There is also music from the fabulous Simon Bolivar Orchestra of Venezuela conducted by their charismatic Music Director Gustavo Dudamel, the youngest conductor on tonight's programme. Mediodia en el Llano comes from their 2008 CD, Fiesta.

And the Concert concludes with the late, great Sir Colin Davis - pictured above - in a performance of Mozart's Haffner Symphony.

Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No.6 in F major (‘Pastoral’)
Claudio Abbado conducts the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Felix Mendelssohn: Symphony No.3 in A minor (‘Scottish’)
Kurt Masur conducts the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra 

Antonio Estevez: Mediodia en el Llano
Gustavo Dudamel conducts the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No.35 in D major (Haffner)
Colin Davis conducts Staatskapelle Dresden