London, Royal Festival Hall, Wednesday 4th February 2026, 19:30

As part of our upcoming Phoenix Lands concert series, we are excited to be presenting a programme focused on 20th-century Central European music from Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

In the 20th century, the nations of Central Europe experienced both glory and terror – and composers responded with music that blazes with energy and imaginative power. For LPO Principal Conductor Edward Gardner, it’s a source of pure inspiration, and tonight, in the first of two Phoenix Lands concerts, he shares his passion. Janáček retells bloody folktales, Grażyna Bacewicz strikes a note of defiance, and Lutosławski and Martinů each do their own deliriously imaginative thing. These composers have a thousand tales to tell, and with the aid of the superb young Czech violinist Josef Špaček, their story starts here.

The Music

• Bacewicz, Overture (6′)
• Martinů, Violin Concerto No. 2 (28′)
• Lutosławski, Symphony No. 4 (22′)
• Janáček, Taras Bulba (23’)

The Performers

• Edward Gardner, Conductor
• Josef Špaček, Violin

Tickets and info

Tickets: £7 – £70

You can find out more about this concert and book your seats here: Bohemian Rhapsodies. We’re pleased to offer £10 tickets for any seats in the hall. Simply visit the concert event page and apply the promo code LANDS10 at checkout.