Synopsis

Under the direction of Mariss Jansons, the Oslo Philharmonic has ascended to the ranks of Europe’s leading orchestras. Their concert this evening at London's Royal Albert Hall opens with an unusual composition by Russian composer Alfred Schnittke. Entitled (Not) a Midsummer Night's Dream, the work takes a melody reminiscent of Schubert and subjects it to a nightmarish transformation. Schnittke himself has remarked on the melody’s origin: "I didn't borrow it, I faked it!"