Czech Philharmonic

he Czech Philharmonic has been an essential fixture in Nottingham Classics seasons for many years and this concert promises another unforgettable evening, not least because it brings a return from American cellist, Alisa Weilerstein. She’ll be playing Dvořák’s passionate Cello Concerto, whose emotive themes are played out in an expansive soundscape. Two stirring pieces from Smetana’s Má Vlast, Tábor and Blaník, tell of the legends of the composer’s homeland. Edward Elgar, like his Czech counterparts, was one of the most patriotic musical voices, and his Enigma Variations evokes images of his Malvern home and the friendships that sustained him. Amongst the affectionate portraits are the composer’s wife, Alice, and at its heart Nimrod, a tribute to one of his supporters that’s become a mainstay of ceremonial occasions.