Thursday 14, Sunday 17 and Wednesday 20 September 2006, 7.30pm

Berlioz Overture: Le Corsaire 10'
Mozart Piano Concerto No.21 in C 29'
Tchaikovsky Swan Lake: Act II (complete) 40'

Mark Elder conductor • Stephen Hough piano

Tchaikovsky's enchanting, brilliantly orchestrated ballet Swan Lake contains more memorable tunes than any of his other scores; its musical narration of the tragic love story of Prince Siegfried for Princess Odette – transformed into a white swan by an evil sorcerer – has given it an indestructible popularity. The North-West-born Stephen Hough, one of the world's top pianists, applies his magical poise and flair to one of Mozart's most original and glorious concertos, famous for the use of its haunting slow movement in the film Elvira Madigan. Tonight's dashing overture was inspired by the 'burning poetry' of Byron's Corsaire and also by Berlioz's near-death experience at sea.