The first half of this concert consists of a performance of Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 (“Unfinished”) to be followed by Brahms “German Requiem” conducted by Fabio Luisi with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Brahms’ Requiem can be seen as humanist rather than Christian in its outlook, but there seems little doubt that it was the death of his mother in February 1865 that gave Brahms the motivation to consider such a work, and the fact that the word “Requiem” appears in the title is perhaps significant.  It has arguably become the best-loved work by the composer, and under this conductor, there is little doubt of the lyricism and warmth that will be found in the performance.