Next week, Nottingham audiences get a chance to enjoy a performance so far only seen in a sold-out Amsterdam venue, when conductor John Wilson and his Sinfonia of London team up with star pianist Benjamin Grosvenor for Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.2.
The performance was first heard last year when the Orchestra made its international debut at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw – a concert hall often said to be the best in the world. The sold-out showgot rave reviews from audiences and critics, the Daily Trouw newspaper saying, ‘what a party it was in the packed, enthusiastic hall!’ while an audience member simply said, ‘A superb orchestra with a superb conductor and a superb soloist!’
Now the same team are bringing the piece to Nottingham, for only the 2nd performance together. Called an ‘epic work of genius’ by Classic FM, Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto is one of the most famous pieces ever written – its popularity bolstered by its use in the iconic black and whitefilm Brief Encounter, where it expressed the powerful emotions felt by lovers Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard.
So good is the main melody that it got recycled by songwriter Eric Carmen for his song ‘All By Myself’, Celine Dion later making the song her own.
John Wilson, known for his infectious enthusiasm for music ranging from Hollywood film scores through to iconic classics, conducts the performance, which is the opening night of a 6-date tour right across the UK.
Alongside the music by Rachmaninov the Orchestra performs composer Rimsky-Korsakov’s take on The Arabian Nights; Scheherazade.
Sinfonia of London appear with pianist Benjamin Grosvenor at the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham on Thursday 29 October, 7.30pm. Tickets from £15.50.
Posted on 21 October 2026
